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MISSIONS 



Western New York 



CHURCH HISTORY 



DIOCESE OF BUFFALO, 



THE BISHOP OF BUFFALO. 



BUFFALO: 

CATHOLIC SENTINEL PRINT, 
1862. 






\3&3<H 



DEDICATION 



TO THE VENERABLE CLERGY 

AND 

FAITHFUL LAITY 

OF THE DIOCESE OF BUFFALO. 



Lookng round on a blessed increase of zealous 
Priests, crowded Churches, and fervent communicants, 
we, with worshipful thanksgiving to God, affectionate 
gratitude to our venerable Co-operators the Clergy, and 
grateful paternal love to the pious Laity — dedicate these 
hasty memoirs, as a monument of our affection to the 
worthy Priests, and generous, devoted Catholics of this 
new Diocese. 

Amidst occupations already almost excessive, it seemed 
wrong to attempt a work like this — when only interrupted 
moments, snatched from important and necessary duties, 
could be devoted to examining documents, written at 
various epochs, during hundreds of years. But the 
advice of respected friends, and their suggestion that, 
if not soon began, future steps in this direction might 
be almost impossible, made us hesitate. Then the desire 
to aid in preserving interesting details of the Church's first 
struggles, against error and crime in this region; a wish 
to invite the attention, of our generous native and adopt 
ed citizens, to the heroic virtues, saintlv examples, and 

(hi.) 



]V. DEDICATION. 

martyr sufferings of the holy dead, who once trod the 
soil, which we now tread; who once labored in the fields 
of our present labors; who once preached and practiced 
what we now preach and practice; made hesitation 
change into firm resolve. Then, far advanced in the 
midnight, vigil ; or long before dawn of day, we strove 
to make a beginning; hoping that our labors might in- 
duce others who have • time and talent, to follow the 
glimpses, that may open through these pages, and unfold 
the shadows which still rest round the dark and stormy 
past; and even make it bright with evidence that, in 
America, as in every other land, the truth of God, the 
promises of God, the power of God, always protected 
the Church, preserved its light, and matured its fruits of 
love. 

We pause at this first volume. Its last paragraph 
will tell that we wait, to give ampler testimony, than the 
modest reserve of God's pious and faithful priests, per- 
mitted them to send, of their zealous co-operation in the 
great work which has been wrought in our midst. 

" Being confident of this very thing, that He Who hath 
begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day 
of Jesus Christ,' 1 we pray that God may ever bless those 
faithful priests, and their generous flocks. 

-f JOHN, 

Bp. of Buffalo. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Page. 
Beginning of the Church in America — Vicissitudes — Prosperity 
and Adversity, in America, as elsewhere — Instructors of 
another race in America — -Ancient Remains — Danes — Irish 
— Iceland, Christian — Lost to Science by Lutheranism — 
Greenland converted — America discovered, about the year 
lodi) — Bishop Eric visited it in 1120 — Last Mention in 
.1884 7 

CHAPTER II. 

Success of Early Missions — General View— Assertion that Jesuit 
Missions are always Failures, contradicted — Failure of non- 
Catholic Missions — Persecution. _ _ . „_,„ . 19 

CHAPTER III. 

Earliest Missions — South of the U. S. — -Quebec — St. Lawrence — 

The English destroy it — Rasles _ 24 

CHAPTER IV. 

Indians — Number of Martyred Priests — Indians, hospitable at 
first — Wronged, before they did wrong — Tribes many and 
populous in the State of New York — Hudson — Indians kid- 
napped — -Hi-a-wat-ha 39 

CHAPTER V. 

Religion, Rites and Ceremonies — Compared with the Ancients 

and with the Jews 47 

CHAPTER VI. 

Catholic Missionaries, Franciscan Fathers — Invite and lodge 
the first Jesuits — Jesuits among the Hurons — The Francis- 
can, then the Jesuit approach or reach Niagara River 60 

CHAPTER VII. 
.Host of Martyrs ,..._„„,.'.«.„.. 71 



vi. contents, 

Page. 
CHAPTER VIII. 

Missions in Western New York — Iroquois — Franciscans in- 
struct them in 1621 — Father Joques — Rev. W. J. Kipp — 
Father Ponset — Torture of Father Le Moyne — Discovers 
the Salt Springs of Syracuse — Indian Council — Father 
Chaumont — His Speech — Cayugas — Senecas — Intrigues — 
Persecution — Adversity. ... 80 



CHAPTER IX. 

Gospel Fruits — Sanctity of Indians — Catherine Teaghokuita — 

Miracles ' 112 

CHAPTER X. 
Early Indian Missions, in what is now Diocese of Bifftalo 147 

CHAPTER XI. 

Missions of the Buffalo district continued, in a place of Refuge 

from Persecution. 185 

CHAPTER XII. 

Missions for our Race — Beginning of Churches — Conflicting 

vices, but still onward progress 207 

CHAPTER XIII. 
Buffalo, an Episcopal See 236 



Missions in Western Hew York 



CHAPTER I. 

BEGINNINGS OF THE CHURCH IN AMERICA. „ 

In every land, we trace the varying features of 'God's 
Church militant-; now highly favoured-, now chastised, 
almost crushed; then rising, sometimes rapidly, sometimes 
slowly, to more than former splendor. 

In Africa, what vicissitudes marked the state of the 
Church; once glorious* then sunk in darkest night; yet now 
the See of St. Augustine, from which all traces of Christi- 
anity seemed effaced, brightens again under Christ's blessed 
light. England too, twice or thrice had the faith almost to 
begin, and only lately, after the direst persecution On record-, 
does the English Church again display in triumphs of grace, 
her undying work of love. JSTor were the hours of gloom 
Without blessed fruit How many generous martyrs did 
not England and Ireland send to heaven ? How many have 
not Japan and China, (which still daily sends-,) sent, in past 
ages to swell u the glorious choir of martyrs." St. Francis 
Xavier converted Japan ; the same arts which, for commer- 
cial purposes, or for domination, were so successfully 
practiced upon our Indians in this State \ brought on, in 
Japan, a bloody persecution; two millions of martyrs passed 
heroicly, through dreadful torments, to the Church trium- 
phant Was this not a gain for earth-, as well as for heaven ? 
\Ve even have indications that in the mountains of Japan 
the ancient faith ever remained I may it not be that now 
the blood of the martyrs shall soon be the seed of Chris- 
tians?" For ages the faith has been struggling in China: at 
times, to men, it seemed extinct: during those ages of 
struggle, millions of martyrs passed to heaven : yet we art 



$ MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

told that there are upwards of 2,000,000 of christians In- 
China: churches, and seminaries, and Sisters, of Charity,, in 
every province, penetrating, in their labours of light and 
love, to the inmost recesses of the country. 

It would seem that our America had passed through 
some of the same phases; had its bright rays of hope; its 
sad reverses, through the cunning and cruelty of God's 
enemies;, may we not hope for a glorious crop, from the 
blood of Christian martyrs that once consecrated the soil of 
America, even here in our State of New York. 

In beginning these memoirs that may serve in forming 
the history of the Church in this diocess; it seemed useful 
to present an, abridgment of historical fragments, on our 
early history; as curious developements are daily made, 
through tbe assidious labours of devoted and learned writers. 
In the compilation, the sources whence the facts are drawn 
will often be immediately noticed ; more frequently perhaps,. 
. the notice, with all due praise, will be given at the end of 
t]\e work. 

Baron Humboldt remarking the evidences, that instructors, 
of another race, had penetrated into Mexico and South 
America, suppose that they came from Eastern Asia. Father 
Antonio Ruiz, mentions a miraculous cross, found in that 
part of Paraguay which is now called " Holy Cross" ami 
speaks of a local tradition, pointing to St. Thomas, the 
Apostle, as the first teacher of the faith, in that Southern, 
part of America. Father Duran says that in South America,, 
the Indians declare that Saint Svme,. (which in their language 
means Thomas,) predicted to their ancestors that priests of 
the mighty God would, one day, reproduce iti their midst f 
the doctrine which he announced? preach brotherly love,, 
and teach them to have but one wife. 

In reading what learned men have written, on. early 
American traditions,, which gleam, like more than hal£ 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 9 

forgotten truths of Christianity, we almost feel inclined to 
receive literally the Scripture declaration that on the day of 
Pentecost, " there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout 
men, out of every nation under heaven" ; that America was 
represented there, and consequently, to suppose that our 
country was peopled, not only from the North-east and 
North-west, but also from the South; and that the West 
Indian, and other islands, are hut the lofty ridges of a con- 
necting land between the old and the new world which 
sunk to its present state, in some of the mighty convulsions 
of nature, that occurred at the death of our Lord, and. 
recurred frequently during succeeding centuries. 

Bancroft has a curious passage, relating to the voluntary 
mortifications and penances of the first discovered Indians ;. 
he says: "That man should take up the cross, that sin 
" should be atoned for, are ideas that dwell in human 
" nature; they are so diffused among the savages that Le 
" Clercq believed some of the Apostles must have reached the - 
" American continent." His. U. S. 3vol. 29.1. 

De Witt Clinton says : "Previous to the occupation of this 
country by the progenitors of the present race of Indians, 
it was inhabited by a race of men much more populous, and, 
much further advanced in civilization." Speaking of ancient 
fortifications he says: "I have seen several of these works, 
" in the western part of this State. There is a large one in 
" the town of Onondaga, one in Pompey, and one in Malins; 
" one in Camillus, eight miles from Auburn ; one in Scipio r 
" six miles, another, one mile,., and another, about half a 
" mile from that village. Between the Seneca and Cayuga 
" Lakes, there are several ;.— r-three within a few miles of each 
" other. Near the village of Canandaigua there are three.. 
" In a word they are scattered all over that country." 

" There is from the Niagara to the Genesee river, upon 
the mountain Ridge, a line or corden of these ancient forti- 



10 Missions in western new York* 

fieations. Upon a slope or offset of the mountain Ridge-, 
three and a half miles from the village of Lewiston, is a 
marked spot, which the Tusearora Indians called KiennTca, 
(fort or stroughold,) there is a burial ground-, and t'wOeliptic 
mounds that have a diameter of twenty feet, ahtl an elevation 
of from four to five, feight miles east of this, upon One of 
the most elevated points of the mountain ri'dge, in the town 
of Cambria, on the farm owned by John Grould, is an ancient 
fortification and burial place. -. ■. An area of about six 
acres of level ground, appears to have been occupied. 
Nearly in the centre of the area Vvas a depository of the 
dead. It was a })it, excavated to the depth of four or five 
feet, filled with human bones, over which were slabs of sand 
stone. Hundreds of both sexes, and of all ages seem to 
have been thrown in promiscously. Extreme old age was 
identified by toothless jaws and the complete absorption of 
the aveola process; and extreme infancy, by the small skulls 
and imcomplete ossification. In the position of the skeletons 
there was none of the signs of ordinary Indian burial. A 
tree had been cut down, growing directly over the mound, 
upon its stump could be counted two hundred and thirty 
concentric circles. Remains of earthernware, pieces of copper, 
and iron, instruments of rude workmanship, Were j>lougbed 
up within the area ! 

" At the head of a deep gorge, a mile west of Lockport, 
in the early settlement of the country, a circular. raised work-, 
or ring fort, could be distinctly traced. Leading from the 
area, there had been a covered way to a spring of pure cold 
water, that issues from a fissure of a rock, some fifty, or sixty 
feet down the declivity." 

There is an ancient battle field upon the Buffalo Creek, 
six miles from Buffalo, near the Mission station. The Sene- 
cas have a tradition that here was a last decisive battle 
between their people and their enemies, the Kah-Kwahs. A 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. i 1 

mile north of Aurora village in Erie County, there are 
several small lakes or ponds, around and between -which 
there are knobs or elevations thickly covered with a tal! 
growth of pine;- upon them are several mounds, where 
many human bones have been excavated. Belies around 
Aurora in Erie county, abound perhaps to a greater extent,. 
than in any other locality in western iN'ew York. 

An area, from three to four miles in extent, would seem- 
to have been thickly populated. There are in Aurora vil- 
lage and vicinity few gardens and fields where ancient In- 
dian relics are not found at each successive ploughing. Few 
cellars are excavated without discovering them. In digging 
a cellar a few years since a skeleton was exhumed, the 
thigh bones of which, would indicate great height. In 
digging another cellar, a large number of skeletons or de- 
tached bones were thrown out upon the farm of M. B. 
Crooks, two miles from the village; where a tree had been 
turned up several hundred pounds of axes were found . 
The ancient works at Forthill, Le Roy, are especially wor- 
thy of observation % they are three miles north of Le Roy. 
There are undoubted evidences of its having constituted a 
valuable point of defence to a rude and half civilized peo- 
ple. Such skeletons as have been found, in and about this 
locality indicate a race of men averaging, one third larger 
than the present race. From the fortification a trench 
leads to a spring of water. Arrow heads, pipes , beads, 
gouges, pestles, stone hatchets, have. been, found upon the 
ground. The growth of timber would show that these 
works were over five hundred years old; It even seems 
possible that other growths may have preceded them ! 

About one and a half miles west of Shelby centre, 
Orleans county, is an ancient work — =trees of four hundred 
years' growth stand upon the embankment, and underneath 
thena have been found earthen wAre, pieces of plate or 



12 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

dishes, wrought with skill, presenting ornaments in relief of 
various patterns. Some skeletons, almost entire, have been 
exhumed; man} 7 of giant size — not less than from seven to 
eight feet in length. The late Hon. S. M. Burrough says : 
u This was doubtless a spot where a great battle had been 
fought. Were not these people a branch of the Aztecsi" 

Upon the middle branch of Buffalo Creek, three and a 
half miles from the village of Aurora, there are remains of 
one of the largest class of ancient fortifications. The spot 
had attractions for successive Indian nations — the Eries, the 
Neuter Nation, and the Iriquois; for there are evidences of 
continued occupancy to our own period. When the French 
Franciscans and the Jesuit Missionaries came to this region, 
they undoubtedly made it one of their principal stations. 
In the year 1809, a copper plate was ploughed up, twelve 
inches broad and sixteen long. It had engraven upon it, 
in regular lines extending the whole length of the plate, 
characters that appear to have been some record." — 
Turner's History of Hoi. Pur. 

Certain it is that indications, both in the physical and 
moral order, point to some early but long since forgotten 
intercourse with the Old World. The learned researches of 
the Danish antiquaries make it almost certain that our 
country was discovered long before Columbus. 

Baron Henrion, in his "Missions Catholiques," Liv. i., 
chap. 31, gives in much detail the proofs that the Northmen 
of Scandinavia discovered Iceland in the ninth century, and 
that they found on the shores crosses, bells, and sacred 
vessels of Irish workmanship. 

Iceland is about one-fifth larger than Ireland. Its area 
is estimated at 40,000 square miles. It seems to have been 
discovered in 861 by Naddor, who called it ^lowland. 
Three years after, Garder and Floki visited it, and from the 
-drift ice, along the northern shores, called it "Iceland." In 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW YORK. 13 

£74, Norwegian nobles who had rebelled, and been defeated 
in Norway, reached Iceland. In golf and Leif conducted 
them. They finally settled at Reykjawk. Leif, enriched 
with plunder from Ireland, was killed by some of his 
captive Irish. The colony was soon augmented by plunder 
and slaves from abroad. Among their captives were many 
Christians, monks, priests, and even bishops. The truths of 
Christianity insinuated themselves, into the hearts of the 
worshippers of Woden. Frederick) a Saxon bishop, who 
came, or was brought there in 981, seems to have been the 
apostle of Iceland; we know that Christianity was adopted 
by the National Assembly in A. D. 1000. In the year 
1057, Isleif, Bishop of Ikaholt, introduced into Iceland the 
art of writing aud the Latin alphabet, modified according to 
German forms. As usual, the monks, especially those of 
the Benedictine Monastery of Thingeyra, were large con- 
tributors to Icelandic literature. Nothing can compensate 
for the national loss sustained by the sack of convents, and 
the wholesale destruction of valuable manuscripts and relics 
of antiquity, at the introduction of Lutheranism in 1550. 

With the introduction of writing, a great and general 
educational and literary movement -commenced in Iceland; 
which continued unabated for five centuries. And Iceland 
became a country Which, in point of general education, has 
hardly, if at all, been equalled. The natural result was a 
refinement of manners, and an advanced civilization, which 
seems wonderful in that wild age of lawlessness and violence 
The records and memorials of this vanished civilization, and 
the monuments of this dead literature, still subsist in piles 
of dusty manuscripts preserved in the Royal Library of 
Copenhagen, in the British Museum, and elsewhere. 

Iceland is about one hundred and eighty miles from 
Greenland. Grenbiorn, who first discovered Greenland, 
gave a .sad description of its ice-bound shores ; a few years 



34 MISSIONS IS WESTERN NEW YORK. 

later, Eric the Red, under more favorable circumstances and 
a better season, found the same- land, was pleased with, it 
and, from its then verdure, called it Greenland., Notwith- 
standing awful privations, the colony was established, and 
began to flourish 

In 999, Leif, son of Eric, was converted to Christianity. 
All the settlers of Greenland followed bis example. A 
bishoprick was founded at Garde, convents of nuns were 
established. There were twelve parishes and two houses of 
religious men in the eastern division, and four parishes in 
the western. We have an authentic account of a voyage 
undertaken by some priests of the diocese of Garder, in 
1266, in the course of whieh they penetrated through 
Lancaster Sound and Barrow's Strait, and examined shores, 
*the re-discovery of which lately has been vaunted as among 
the most intrepid fruits of modern nautical daring. These 
priests, fortunately, have given us some astronomical 
observations, from which it appears that they advanced 
almost to the seventy-sixth degree of north latitude. 

The colonists of Greenland frequently visited the mother 
countries, Iceland and Norway. There was a continuous 
intercourse between Greenland and these countries; the 
inmates of the Greenland monasteries were often sent over to 
the convents of Iceland and Norway. The Bishops of 
Garder were Suffragans of the Archbishop of Trondhjem, 
a city of Norway, on the river " Nid," (whence its ancient 
name "Nidrosia;") and for their consecration, and for many 
other reasons, had frequent necessity of going to Europe. 

Greenland was the pioneer station, on the road to 
America. Biorni sailed from Norway to visit Herulf, his 
father, in Greenland. Driven by storms too far south, he 
discovered Newfoundland and the mainland of America. 
Returning northeastwardly with favorable but strong winds, 
fo four days be. reached Greenland.. Fourteen years after.. 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK-. I'S 

Eric Rande bought Biorni's vessel, and with thirty-five 
companions started to explore this "Newfoundland." They 
reached Newfoundland, which, from its barren aspect, they 
called "EEelluland," or "The Barren Land.'* Continuing 
on west, they reached Nova Scotia; they called it "Mark- 
land," or " The Land of Woods.* Coasting down, they 
reached the southern part of Massachusetts ; a colony was. 
planted in Vinland, " Land of the Yine," on the continent, 
opposite to " Martha's Yineyard." The succeeding naviga- 
tors examined the coast of Long Island, the coasts of T)ela- 
ware and Maryland, and even farther so«sith. A commerce 
in furs, etc., began; the intercourse between America, 
Greenland and northern Europe continued for at least three 
centuries. The latest mention of it occurs in a document 
compiled in 1348, where an Icelandic vessel is spoken of 
as having been to Markland for a cargo of timber, the very 
commodity, even now, for a vessel in the Canada or Nova 
Scotia trade. 

Some notices in the ancient documents are curious and 
interesting. One of them speaks of the shipwreck on a 
part of the American coast called "Ireland it mikla" 
(Great Ireland,) of Arc Marson, a wealthy Icelandic lord, in 
983, during a voyage from Dublin to Reikjavik. The 
people are represented as white and Christians, speaking a 
dialect of the Erse. They baptised Arc Marson, and 
detained him thirty years. Arc Frode, one of the most 
trustworthy of Icelandic writers, to whom we owe the most 
detailed account of the settlement of Greenland, and of the 
American discoveries, was the great grandson of this Arc 
Marson, who, as well as Arc Frode, believed this American 
people to be an Irish colony that long before had made, 
their way across the ocean. 

Other relations, such as that of Biorni Asbrandson, are 
equally strange. But they haye a counterpart in. many 



lb MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

Indian traditions. The southern Indians, before their 
expulsion from Florida, had a tradition that the Florida, 
and Carolinas were, ages ago, inhabited by a race of white 
men, who used iron tools, cultivated the earth, and wor- 
shipped the -Great Spirit in houses built for that purpose. 
The Mexicans had similar traditiens. 

The records of the discovery of America by the Ice- 
landers are too consistent, too truthful to be rejected. The 
whole Scandinavian people must have conspired to invent a 
o-ig^ntic fiction, were it false, even in one of its leading 
features; and they must have engaged unborn generations 
in the conspiracy. Such a fiction, too, must have guessed 
the configuration of some two or three thousand miles of 
coast, the distances and bearings of places, hundreds of miles 
apart, the zoology and botany of countries differing widely*" 
in soil, climate, and physical conformation. It was no 
fiction, surely, when Thornfinn exhibited the ears of maize 
in the streets of Trondhjem; nor when he sold the slab of 
bird's-eye maple to the Bishop of Bremen, for a mark of 
gold. More than eight centuries and a half have rolled 
away since Leif wintered in Vinland; yet his descriptions 
are pictures of Newfoundland and the country around 
Martha's Vineyard, to this hour-" — Dublin Review, May, 
1861. 

Iceland and Greenland, almost from their discovery, had 
their churches, their convents, their bishops, 'their colleges, 
their libraries, their apostolic men, aud when the explorers 
Beorn and Leif and their followers coasted southernly along 
the Atlantic shore aud discovered a great part of the United 
States, missionaries immediately offered to go and preach 
the gospel to the savages. In 1120, Bishop Eric visited in 
person this country, then called Vinland, or Land of Vines. 
The colonies of the Northmen on the west coast of Green- 
land continued to flourish till 1406, when the seventeenth 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 1 < 

and last Bisliop of Garcia w*as sent from Norway; those on 
the eastern coast subsisted till 1540, when they were 
destroyed by a physical revolution which accumulated the 
ice iu that zone. Thus a focus of Christianity not only lono- 
existed in Greenland, but from it, rays of faith for a time 
illuminated part of the territory now embraced in the 
United States. 

As to the position of Yinland, there can be --little doubt. 
A careful study of the narratives of the early voyagers, 
narratives, stamped with the imprint of truth, leaves no 
doubt that they turned Cape Cod, and entered the water 
of the Narragansett Bay. To corroborate this, a ruin exists 
near Newport, evidently, of Runic or Scandinavian origin, 
It was found on the settlement of the country, and is clearly 
no Indian work ; while its resemblance to aeknowded Scan- 
dinavian works in Greenland and Iceland places the 
question beyond a doubt 

" The ancient tholus iu Newport, the erection of which," 
says the Royal Society of Antiquarians, "appears to be 
co-eval with the time of Bishop Eric, belonged to a Scan- 
dinavian church or monastery, where in alternation with 
Latin masses, the old Danish tongue was heard seven 
hundred years ago/' 

Dr. Holland, in a " Dissertation on the History and 
Literature of Iceland," remarks that the description given 
of a great country to the southwest of Greenland, which had 
formerly been visited by Icelanders, proves at least that the 
discoveries of the Northmen were not entirely unknown in 
Southern Europe. 

Antonio Zeno found in Yinland Latin books brought 
thither by a Bishop of Greenland in the beginning of the 
twelfth century. Baron Henrion gives along article on 
the veneration of the cross by savages along the Saint 
Lawrence, and on their traditions, which seem to point to a 



18 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

visit from Bishop Eric about the year 1120. Malte Brun 
thinks that the traditions of the savages on this subject are 
reasonable, and point to Bishop Eric, and to deliverance 
from an epidemic through him. Christianity was forgotten 
when the missionaries withdrew or were martyred ; but the 
veneration of the cross remained. Father Lafitau attests 
that the veneration of the cross was practiced in America 
before the coming of Columbus. " Meurs des Sauvages. 
Americains," vol. i., p. 424. This, learned Father mates 
on this subject the following reflexions "Although the Evil 
One might pervert anything,, still, can it be thought that 
he would excite his adorers, to venerate the sacred sign by 
which he was vanquished ?■ Or, may not this be a proof 
that Christianity had penetrated into America, before the 
discovery of later days !"' 

From 1120 up to 1493 we only have vague accounts of 
Greenland : even these disappear about the time that 
Columbus discovered America, in which country the light 
seems to have faded away, amidst the murderous enmities 
and the dark passions of a savage people, who had perhaps 
despised and abused their first grace. 

" The antiquarian, as he excavates the mounds, and surveys 
the remains, which are scattered over the Western valleys, 
meets w r ith relics of a remote antiquity and memorials of a 
populous, race, advanced in civilization, who 

' { - ' Heaped with long toil the earth, while yet the Greek 
Was hewing the I'entelieus to forms 
Of symmetry, and rearing on its rock 
The glittering Parthenon.' 

il The various tribes of aboriginal inhabitants which were 
found in possession of this country at its discovery, exhibited 
a diversity of institutions, customs, and language, which 
could ouly have resulted from a separation at a period far 
remote in their history." Marshall 



MlSSl'ONS IN WESEERN NEW YORK. 19 

CHAPTER II. 

ON THE SUCCESS OF EARLY MISSIONS. 

Ancient and recent monuments and discoveries, make it 
then almost certain, that at a very early period Catholic 
Priests exercised their ministry in this New World. Cer- 
tain, at least it is, that the first discoverers, and the first set- 
tlers were Catholics. Ambition, and the cursed thirst for 
gold, too much indeed, influenced many, yet, as the most 
lawless had still faith and conscience, which, could restrain 
unlimited power, they frequently aided the Catholic Priest 
in his efforts to civilize and save the Indians; hence the In- 
dian race was preserved where Catholics ruled, but exter- 
minated, or nearly exterminated, wherever the Catholic re- 
ligion was either powerless or persecuted. The results at 
this day will show how differently the non-Catholics, as a 
body acted. From the north of Mexico to Cape Horn 
there yet exists about twenty millions of Indians; they are 
Christians; their civilization has not reached that of our 
race; but it may be much less than we imagine, behind that 
of England or of other countries, 300 years after their con- 
version. And, though the Christian Indians of the South 
are far in advance of the Northern tribes^ yet are they not 
now,what they would have been, had not a stronger race, with 
.adverse social and religious ideas, Undermined their principles 
and weakened their morality* Even now, in the far North 
the Catholic Indians are greatly in advance of the non- 
Catholic savages . These remarks are not intended as re- 
proach against respected Protestant fellow citizens, who gen- 
erally condemn, sometimes in stronger terms than we dare 
use, the wrongs inflicted upon the Aborigines. 

But, the Catholic historian is forced, however unwilling, 



20 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW Y.ORK. 

to make such remarks, in answer to the oft-repeated asser- 
tion, of some Protestant writers.. The same in substance 
as the following quotation from Rev. W. I. Kip, M. A. r 
li Look over the world and' read the history of the Jesuit 
missions. After one or two centuries, they have always 
come to naught. There is not a recorded instance of their 
permanency, or of their spreading each generation, wider 
and deeper, like our own missions in India. Thus it has 
been in China, Japan, South America, and our own land. 
For centuries the Jesuit foreign missionaries have been like 
those ' beating the air.'" And yet, greater devotion to the' 
cause than theirs, has never been since the Apostle's days. 
Must there not have been something wrong in the whole 
system — some grievous error mingled with their teaching, 
which, thus denied them a measure of success, proportioned 
to their efforts." Kip, Jes. Miss. Pref. It seems a duty 
respectfully to remove erroneous impressions. Hence we' 
must point out retarding causes, which the Church could 
not remove. Unless, as in Japan, where about two mil- 
lions of converts died martyrs; unless, as in the , North 
Eastern States, when the converted tribes were extermina- 
ted, the assertion above made is the very reverse of the 
truth. Jesuits may have been chased away, or murdered 
like Resl.es ; but other Jesuits, or other Priests took their 
place; even after a price had been put upon the head of 
God's minister, as was the case in our own state. Every 
one knows that the Catholic missions in India are immense- 
ly superior, and far more successful than the Protestant mis- 
sions there, notwithstanding the boast of Mr. Kip. Mis- 
representation, craft, and. British power, destroyed the Indi- 
an. missions in this State, but not. the entire Indian Christi- 
anity of "the State, which was transferred to Canada, where- 
very many Catholic descendants of the Christian Indians 
of" New York,, still -worship with fervor before their 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 21 

Catholic altars. In many parts of the United States, 
in Michigan, Kansas, etc., etc., there are many Churches- 
and large congregations of faithful Indians, many of 
whose fathers had to fly from persecution in this State. 
Rev. Eugene Vetranile, Pastor of Biddeford, says in a let- 
ter to the writer of these memoirs: "In the State of 
'•Maine there are two tribes of Indians of the Etchimin, 
"nation, a division of the great Algonquin family. They 
" number one thousand, and are all Catholics. There are 
" no Protestant Indians in the State. These Indians have 
" a right to send two men to the Legislature of Maine. I 
'•' am informed by fishermen, who frequent Labrador, that 
" they are continually visited by Catholic Esquimeaux In- 
" dians. " 

Where are the Protestant Churches, or the Protestant 
Christian Indians of all. the tribes that swarmed in New 
England, and in Eastern New York. The power, the 
wealth, the religious zeal, of "old " and "New" England 
were brought to aid the Indian Missions of Rev. John Eliot 
and others. Let a Protestant writer tell the result: Joshua 
R. Clark, A. M., corresponding member of the New York 
Historical Society., says in." Onondaga," vol. i. ; " Two hun- 
dred years have, not yet rolled around, and a Bible, (the 
Indian Bible printed through the aid of the British Parlia- 
ment,) the fruit of many years of diligent labor, translated 
expressly for a people, whose salvation was the end and aim 
of the great, the gracious,.. and the good of that era, lives 
only as a literary curiosity on the shelves of a very few 
libraries in Christendom... . . The race for whose benefit 
these holy words were arranged, has passed away, and with. 
them their literature, and even their very names." p. 211. 

Gov. Andros, in his official report in 1678, makes no 
mention of Catholics, in enumerating the religious denomi- 



•22 missions iw Western new yor£. 

nations in the State; and this, because Catholics, publicly 
known as such, did not exist in the civilized districts. 

Gov. Dongan, in 1687, in his report to the British Par- 
Hament, says, "New York has first a chaplain, belonging to 
"the Fort, of the Church of England 5 secondly, a Dutch 
'" Calvinist; thirdly, a French Calvinist; fourthly, a Dutch 
" Lutheran. Here be not many of the Church of England, 
"few Roman Catholics, abundance *of Quaker preachers, 
"nien, and women especially, Singing Quakers, Ranting 
" Quakers, Sabbatharians, Antisabbatharians, some Anabap- 
" tists, some Independents, some Jews; in short, of all sorts 
" of opinions there are some, and the most part, of none at 
"all." Doc. Hist, of N. Y. Vol. I., 116. 

Various intolerant laws soon forced most of the few in the 
State to leave it In 1700, an Act was passed with this 
preample : " Whereas divers Jesuits, Priests, and Popish 
" Missionaries have of late come, and for some time have 
"had their residence in the remote parts of this province." 
(New Y'ork.) It is then enacted that every priest, etc., 
remaining in or coming into the province after November 1, 
1700, "shall be adjudged to suffer perpetual imprisonment" 
In case of escape and capture, to suffer death ! By the 
same law, harborers of Priests were to pay a fine of two 
hundred pounds and to stand two days in the pillory. 
Smith speaks of this law as "One for hanging any Popish 
Priest who would come voluntarily into the Province," and 
he says, " It continues in full force to this day, as it forever 
ought" A man then did not dare to avow himself a Catho- 
lic; it was odious; a chapel then would have been pulled 
down. It used to be said, " John Leary goes once a year 
"■to Philadelphia to get absolution." In 1741, John UrY 
was hung in New York ostensibly on account of a pre^ 
tended participation in a plot, but in reality on account of 
his being thought to be a Priest, as it seems he was. fibk 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN XEW YORK. 23 

bloody law against Catholics was repealed by special act of 
the New York State Legislature, in 1784.) 

"In the year 1700, the Earl of Bellmont Governor of 
New York, memoralised the Lords of trade and plantations, 
''to prevent their being practised upon by the French Priests, 
and Jesuits. (Laws enacted to hang the poor Priests who 
came into the Province must have appeared quite effica- 
cious.) "The Queen gave directions for the erection of a 
fort, with a chapel and house for the Clergyman, in the 

country of the Mohawks After about six years of 

labor, trial, and disappointment, the Reverend W. Andrews 
solicited removal from that Mission, which was done. He 
gives anything but a favorable report of the success of his 
labors, saying, "There is no hope of making them better. 
Heathen they are, and Heathen they still must be." — 213. 
Great efforts were also made among the Onondagas. The 
result is thus stated by the learned Author: "The general 
character and condition of the Onondagas, as a body of this 
clay, is not remarkable either for industry, thrift, perseve- 
rance, temperance, or any of those higher virtues and graces 
which tend to exalt and elevate mankind." Clark, Vol. 
1. p. 321. 

In 1778, in the month of February, a large French ship 
was taken by the British, near the Chesapeake, and sent 
for condemnation iuto New York, at that time still in pos- 
session of the English. Amongst her officers was a Priest, 
of the name of De la Motte, of the Order of St. Augustin, 
who was Chaplain of the vessel. Being permitted to go at 
large in the city, he was solicited by his countrymen, and 
by those of his own faith, to celebrate Mass. Being advised 
of the existence of a prohibitory law, he applied to the 
commanding officer for permission, which was refused: but 
M. de la Motte, not knowing the language very well, mis- 
took what was intended for a refusal as a permission, and 



24 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

accordingly celebrated Mass. For this lie was arrested, and 
kept in close confinement until exchanged. This was under 
Governor Tryon's administration. His. of C. C. in N. Y. 

p. 29 & 35." That the Catholic Church under such circum- 
stances, could, not continue its work of conversion among 
the Indians, and that the converted Indians would be forced 
into exile, is evident, That the Protestant religion, under 
such favorable circumstauces, should have zero for the result 
of gigantic efforts and expenditures, can easily be explained, 
by thinking men. 



CHAPTERIII. 

EARLIEST missions. 

Under God the discovery of America by Columbus, was 
greatly due to the Franciscan Monk John Perez di Mar- 
chena. But for him Columbus could not have sailed from 
Spain. On the 12th of October, 1492, in the Isle of San 
Salvador, another Monk, the Reverend Father Solozano, 
made the hills and forests of the New World witness the 
solemn rites, and re-echo to the sacred chants of Catholic 
worship; and, first in the Southern part of America, did 
that Monk plant the sign of man's salvation, on a soil, the 
discovery of which saved the life of Columbus. Thence 
onward, through difficulties, dangers and death, the Cath- 
olic missionaries pressed on, in their labors of love, to every 
part of the New World. 

In 1542 The Franciscans Father Padilla and Brother 
John of the Cross cheerfully died martyrs in the present 
diocese of Saute Fe. Before the English had formed a 
single settlement either in Virginia or New England, all the 
tribes on the Rio Grande were converted and civilized: 
"The Dominicans, Franciscans and Jesuits labored in Florida. 
"Villages of converted Indians gathered around the Spanish 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 2-D 

"ports. Devotional works were translated and printed in 
"the Indian dialect. The ' Doctrina Christiana 1 , of Pareja, 
"is the oldest published work in any Indian dialect of the 
"United States. The convent of Saint Helena, in the City 
"of St. Augustine, became the centre whence the Franciscans 
"spread in every direction. The faith prospered among the 
"tribes, and the cross towered in every Indian village, till 
"the increasing English colony of Carolina brought war into 
"those peaceful regions. In 1703 the valley of the Appa- 
"lachicola was ravaged by an armed body of covetous fan- 
"atics; the Indian towns were destroyed; the missionaries 
"slaughtered, and their neophytes shared their fate, or still 
" more unfortunate, were hurried away, and sold as slaves in 
"the English West Indies. Fifty years after the whole 
" colony of Florida fell into the hands of England, and Cath- 
"olicity, under its crushing power, languished or escaped to 
"less intolerant rule. The Missions were destroyed, the 
" Indians dispersed, and St. Helena, the convent whence 
" Christianity had radiated over the Peninsula, became a 
"barrack. Driven from their villages, the unhappy Indians 
"wandered in the wilderness, and resumed their nomadic 
"life, from which Christianity had reclaimed them. Buried 
"in the pathless everglades, they took the name of Semi- 
" noles, (wanderers,) gradually lost the faith, and became 
"the scourge of the whites." Discovery, by Shea. 

Cortier sailed into the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the feast 
of St. Lawrence, the 10th of August, 1585. The pious 
Frenchmen celebrated the feast of the glorious martyr, and 
gave his name to the Gulf and River. The cross was 
erected perhaps where Bishop Eric had blessed it three 
hundred years before. In 1604, permanent settlements 
were begun at Quebec and Port Royal, now^ Annapolis. 
Bancroft says, "In 1608, the Apostolic Benediction of the 
"Roman Pontiff was solicited on families which exiled 



26 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW. YORK. 

" themselves to evangelize infidels, and by a compact with De 
"Biencourt, the proprietory's son, the Order of the Jesuits 
" was enriched by an imposition on the fisheries and on the 
"fur trade. The arrival of the Jesuit priests was signalized 
"by conversions among the natives. In the following year, 
" De Biencourt and Father BiarT, explored the coast as far 
" as the Kenebeek. and ascended that river, The Canibas, 
"Algonquins, of the Abenaki nations, touched by the con— 
" tiding humanity of the French, listened reverently to the 
" message of Redemption. A French colony within the 
" United States followed. Under the auspices of Guerche- 
" ville and Mary of Medieis, the rude intrench ments of St. 
" Sauveur were raised on the eastern shore of Mount Desert 
" Isle. The natives venerated BiarT as a messenger from 
" heaven; and under the summer sky, round a cross in the 
"center of the hamlet, matins [mass, we suppose,] and 
" vespers were regularly chanted. France and the Roman 
"Religion had appropriated the soil of Maine." Vol. L, p. 
27. The English, conducted by Argal, attacked St. 
Sauveur; one of the missionaries was mortally wounded, 
and his companions were carried off prisoners — the Chris- 
tian colony was broken up ! ! 

However desirable it is to abridge, yet there is something 
so touching in the following letter that it would scarcely be 
right to omit it; particularly as giving the key to the 
success of the missionaries of God's Church. Let it be read, 
remembering the axiom, "By one learn what all were." 
Letter from Father Sebastien JZasks, Missionary of the Society of 
Jesus in New France to Monsieur his Nephew: 

At Nanrantsonak, this 15th of Oct. 1722. 
Monsieur, My Dear Nephew : 

The Peace of our Lord be with you. 

During the more than thirty years that I have passed 
in the depth of the forests with the Savages, I have been so 



MISSIONS IX WESTERN NEW YORK. 



27 



occupied in instructing them and training them to Christian 
virtues, that I have scarcely had time to write many letters, 
even to those who are most dear to me. I cannot, however, 
refuse you the little detail Gf my occupations for which you 
ask. I owe it, indeed, to the gratitude I feel for the strong 
interest which your friendship induces you to take in all 
that concerns me. 

I am in a district of that vast extent of country which is 
between .Acadia and New England. Two other Mission- 
aries as well as myself are engaged there among the Abna- 
kis Indians; but we are separated very far from each other. 
The Abnakis Indians, besides the two villages which they 
have in the midst of the French Colony, have also three 
other considerable settlements, on the border of a river. 
There are three rivers, which empty into the sea to the 
south of Canada, between New England and Acadia. 

The village in which I live is called Nanrantsouak, and is 
situated on the banks of a river, which empties into the sea 
at the distance of thirty leagues below. I have erected a 
church there, which is neat and elegantly ornamented. I 
have indeed thought it my duty to spare nothing, either in 
the decoration of the building itself, or in the beauty of those 
articles, which are used in our holy ceremonies. Vestments, 
chasubles ? copes, and holy vessels, all are highly appropri- 
ate, and would be esteemed so even in our churches of 
Europe. I have also formed a little choir of about forty 
young Indians, who assist at Divine service in cassocks and 
surplices. They have each their own appropriate functions, 
as much to serve in the holy sacrifice of the Mass, as to 
chant the Divine Offices for the adoration of the Holy Sac- 
rament, and for the processions which are made by great 
crowds of Indians, who often come from a long distance to 
engage in these exercises; and you would be edified by the 
beautiful order they observe aod the devotion they show. 



28 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

They have built two chapels at three hundred paces dis- 
tance from the village: one, above on the river, dedicated to 
God under the invocation of the Holy Virgin, and where 
can be seen her image in relief; the other, under the invo- 
cation of the Angel Guardians, is below, on the same river. 
As they are both on the road which leads, both into the 
woods and into the fields, the Indians can never pass 
without offering up their prayers. There is a holy emula- 
tion among the females of the village as to who shall most 
ornament the chapel of which they have care; when the 
procession is to take place there, all who have any jewelry 
or pieces of silk or calico, or other things of that kind, 
employ them to adorn it. 

The great blaze of light contributes, not a little, to the 
beauty of the church and of the chapels, it not being neces- 
sary for me to be saving of the wax, for the country itself 
furnishes it abundantly. 

None of my neophytes fail to repair twice in each day to 
the church, early in the morning to hear Mass, and in the 
evening to assist at the prayers which I offer up at sunset. 
As it is necessary to fix the imagination of these Indians, 
which is too easily distracted, I have composed some appro- 
priate prayers for them to make, to enable them to enter 
into the spirit of the august sacrifice of our altars. They 
chant them, or recite them in a loud voice during Mass. 
Besides the sermons which I deliver before them on Sun-, 
days and festival days, I scarcely pass a week-day without 
making a short exhortation, to inspire them with a horrer 
of those vices, to which they are most addicted, or to 
strengthen them in the practice of some virtue. After the 
Mass, I teach catechism to the children and young persons, 
while a large number of aged people, who are present, assist 
and answer, with perfect docility, the questions which I put 
to them. The rest of the morning, even to mid-day, is set 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 29 

apart for seeing those who may wish to speak with me. 
They come to me in crowds, to make me a participator in 
their pains and inquietudes, or to communicate to me causes 
of complaint against their countrymen, or to consult me on 
their marriages, and other affairs of importance. It is 
therefore necessary for me to instruct some, to console 
others, to re-establish peace in families at variance, to calm 
troubled consciences, to correct others by reprimands min- 
o-led with softness and charity; in fine, as far as it is possi- 
ble, to render them all contented. 

After mid-day, I visit the sick and go around among 
the cabins of those, who require more particular instruc- 
tions. If they hold a council, which is often the case with 
those Indians, they depute one of the principal men of the 
assemblv, to ask me to assist in their deliberations; I 
accordingly repair to the place where their council is held; 
if I think they are pursuing a wise course, I approve of it; 
if on the contrary, I have anything to say in opposition to 
their decision, I declare my sentiments, supporting them 
with weighty reasons, to which they conform. My advice 
always fixes their resolutions. They do not even hold 
their feasts without inviting me. Those who have been 
asked carry each one a dish, of wood or bark, to the place 
of entertainment 1 give the benediction on the food, and 
they place, in each dish, the portion which has been prepar- 
ed. After this distribution has been made, I say grace, 
and each one retires; for such is the order and usage of 
their feast 

In the midst of such continued occupations, you cannot 
imagine with what rapidity the days pass by. There have 
been seasons, when I scarcely had time to recite my office, 
or take a little repose during the night; for discretion is not 
a virtue which particularly belongs to the Indians. "But, 
for some years past, I have made it a rule, not to speak 



30 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

with any person from the prayers in the evening, until the 
time of it, on the next morning. I have therefore forbidden 
them to interrupt me during this period, except for some 
very important reasons, as, for example to assist a person 
who is dying, or some other affair of the kind which it is 
impossible to put off. I set apart this time to spend in 
prayer, or to repose myself from fatigues of the day. 

When the Indians repair to the sea shore, where they 
pass ,some months in hunting the ducks, bustards, and 
other birds, which are found there in large numbers, they 
build on an island a church, which they cover with bark, 
and near it they erect a little cabin for ray residence. I 
take care to transport a part of our ornaments, and the 
service is performed with the same decency, and the same 
crowds of people, as at the village. 

You see then, my dear nephew, what are my occupations. 
For that which relates to me personally, I will say to you 
that I neither hear, nor see, nor speak to any but Indians. 
My food is very simple and light. I have never been able 
to conform my taste to the meat, or smoked fish of the 
savages, and my nourishment is only composed of corn, 
which they pound, and of which I make each day a kind of 
hominy which I boil in water. Tho only luxury in which I 
indulge is a little sugar, which I mix with it to correct its 
insipidity. This is never wanting in the forest. In the 
spring, the maple trees contain a liquor very similar to that 
which is found in the sugar-canes of the Southern Islands. 
The women employ themselves in collecting this in Vessels 
of bark, as it is distilled from the trees. They then boil it, 
and draw off from it a very good sugar. That which is 
drawn off first is always the most beautiful. 

The whole nation of the Abnakis is Christian, and very 
zealous to preserve their religion. This attachment to the 
Catholic faith has induced them, even to this time, to prefer 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 31 

our alliance to advantages which might be derived from an 
alliance with the English, who are their neighbors. These 
advantages would be, too, of very great importance to our 
Indians. The facility of trading with the English, from 
whom they are distant but one of two days' journey, the 
ease with which the journey can be made, the admirable 
market they would find there for the purchase of the mer- 
chandise that suits them—these things certainly hold out 
very great inducements. In place of which, in going to 
Quebec, it is necessary to take more than a fortnight, to 
reach there, they have to furnish themselves with provi- 
sions for the journey, they have different rivers to cross, 
and frequent portages to make. They are aware of these 
inconveniences, and are by no means indifferent to their 
interests, but their faith is infinitely more dear to them, and 
they believe that if they detach themselves from our alliance, 
they will shortly find themselves without a missionary 
without sacraments, without a sacrifice, with scarcely an v 
exercise of their religion, and in manifest danger of being 
replunged into their former heathenism. This is the bond 
which unites them to the French. Attempts have been 
vainly made to break it, sometimes by wiles which were 
held out to their simplicity, and sometimes by acts of vio- 
lence which could not fail to irritate a nation exceedingly 
jealous of its rights and liberties. The commencement of 
this misunderstanding could not but alarm me, for it made 
me fear the dispersion of that little community which Prov- 
idence had for so many years confided to my care, and for 
the sake of which I would willingly sacn'fice what remains 
to me of life. Let me mention to you, then, some of the 
artifices to which the English had recourse to detach them 
from our alliance." . . . 

But however striking the instances Father Rasles gires, it 



32 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

is necessary to refrain. But the poetry of Whittier, given 
by Rev. M. Kip, should not be refused a place here: 

On the brow of a hill, which slopes to meet 

The flowing river, and bathe its feet — 

The bare washed rock, and the drooping grass, 

And the creeping vine as the waters pass — 

A rude and unshapely chapel stands, 

Built up in that wild by unskilled hands; 

Yet the traveler knows a place of prayer 

For the holy sign of the Cross is there ; 

And should he chance at that place to be, 

Of a Sabbath morn, or some hallowed day, 

When prayers are made and masses said 

Some for the living, and some for the dead, — 

Well might the traveler start to see 

The tall dark forms, that take their way 

From the birch canoe, on the river shore, 

And the forest paths, to that chapel door; 

And marvel to mark the naked knees 

And the dusky foreheads bending these, — 

And stretching his long thin arms o\er these 
In blessing and in prayer, 

Like a shrouded spectre, pale and fall, 

In his coarse white vesture, Father Bade !" 
Omitting the most interesting letters on that mission, 
space will only suffice to admit the last, which depicts the 
tragic end : 

From Father De La Chasse, Superior General of Missions in New 
France, to Father of the same Society. 

At Quebec, 29th of October, 1724. 
My Reverend Father 

The Peace of our Lord be with you ! 

In the deep grief which we feel for the loss of one of our 
oldest missioners, it is a sweet consolation for us, that he 
lias fallen a victim to his love, and his zeal to preserve the 
faith, in the heart of his neophytes. You have been already 
apprized by previous letters of the origin of the war which 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 33 

was kindled up, between the English and the Indians. In 
the former, the desire to extend their dominions; in the 
latter, the horror of all subjection and the attachment to 
their religion, caused at first that misunderstanding, which 
was at length followed by an open rupture. 

Father Rasles, missionary to the Abnakis, had become 
exceedingly odious to the English. Convinced that his 
industry in strengthening the Indians in their faith, consti- 
tuted the greatest obstacle to the design they had formed, of 
encroaching upon the Indian lands; they set a price upon 
his head ; and, on more than one occasion, endeavored 
either to capture or destroy him. At last they have effected 
their object, in satisfying their transport of hate, and freeing 
themselves from this apostolical man; but at the same time 
they have procured for him a glorious death, which was 
always the height of his desires; for we know that, for a 
long time, he had aspired to the happiness of sacrificing his 
life for his flock. I will describe to you in a few words, the 
circumstances of this event. 

After frequent hostilities had taken place, on each side, 
between the two nations, a small force composed of the 
English and their Indian allies, to the number of about 
eleven hundred men, came unexpectedly to attack the village 
of ISTanrantsouak. The thick brushwood by which the village 
is surrounded, aided them in concealing their march, besides 
not being enclosed by palisades, the Indians taken by 
surprise, did not perceive the approach of their enemies, 
until they received a general discharge of musketry, which 
riddled all the cabins. There were at that time about fifty 
warriors in the village. At the first noise of the musketry 
they simultaneously seized their arms, and went forth from 
their cabins to make head against the enemy. Their design 
was, not rashly to sustain a contest with so great a number 
of combatants, but to cover the flight of the women and 



34 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

children, and to give them time to gain the other side of the 
river, which was not as vet occupied by the Knglish. 

Father Rasles, warned by the clamors and the tumult, 
of the peril which threatened his neopli^tes, promptly went 
forth from his house, and, without fear, presented himself 
before the enemy. His hope was, either to suspend, by 
his presence, their first efforts, or, at least, to draw on him 
alone, their attention, and thus, at the expense of his own 
life, to procure the safety of his flock. 

The instant they perceived the missionary, they raised a 
general shout, followed by a discharge of musket balls, 
which rained on him. He fell dead at the foot of a large 
cross, which he had erected in the middle of the village, to 
mark the public profession they had made to adore, in that 
place, the crucified God. fcJeven Indians, who surrounded 
him, and who exposed their lives to preserve that of their 
father, were killed at his side. 

The death of the shepherd spread consternation through 
the flock. The Indians took to flight and crossed the river, 
part by the ford, and part by swimming. They had to 
endure all the fury of their enemies, even to the moment 
when they took refuge in the woods on the other side of 
the river. There they found themselves assembled to the 
number of about a hundred and fifty. Although more than 
two thousand musket-shots had been directed against them, 
they had but about thirty persons killed, including women , 
and children, and fourteen wounded. The English did not 
attempt to pursue the fugitives, but contented themselves 
with pillaging and burning the village. The fire which 
they kindled in the church, was preceded by an unhallowed 
profanation of the sacred vessels, and of the adorable body 
of Jesus Christ. The precipitate retreat of the enemy per- 
mitted the Nanrantsouakans to return to the village. On the 
morrow, they visited the ruins of their cabins, while the 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 35 

women, on their part, sought for herbs and plants to dress 
the wounded. Their first care was to weep over the body 
of their missionary ; they found it pierced with a thousand 
wounds, his scalp taken off, the skull split by blows of a 
hatchet, the mouth and eyes filled with mud, the bones of 
the legs broken, and all the limbs mutilated. They were 
scarcely able to attribute, except to the Indian allies of the 
English, such an excess of inhumanity on a body, deprived 
of feeling and of life. 

After these fervent Christians had washed and kissed, 
many times, the precious remains of their Father, they buried 
him in the same spot where, the day before, he had cele- 
brated the holy sacrifice of the Mass, that is, on the place 
where the altar had stood before the burning of the church. 

It is by so precious a death that this apostolic man 
finished, on the 23rd of August of this year, [1724,] a career 
of thirty seven years passed in the painful toils of this mis- 
sion. He was in the sixty-seventh year of his age. His 
fasts and continual fatigues had latterly enfeebled his con- 
stitution. During the last nineteen years, he had dragged 
himself about with difficulty, in consequence of a fall in 
which he broke his right thigh and his left leg. It 
happened that the fractured parts having badly united, it 
became necessary to break the left ieg anew. While they 
were drawing it most violently, he sustained this painful 
operation with extraordinary firmness and admirable tran- 
quility. Our physician, who was present, appeared so 
astonished, that he could not forbear saying to him, "Ah, 
my Father, permit at least some groans to escapt you, for 
you have cause for them." 

Father RaslEs joined to talents which made him an 
excellent missionary, those virtues which are necessary for 
that Evangelical Ministry, to be exercised with eft'ect among 
our Indians. He enjoyed robust health, and with the 



36 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW .YORK. 

exception of the accident I have mentioned, I do not know 
that be ever had the least indisposition . We were surprised 
nt his industry and readiness in acquiring the different 
Indian languages. There was not one on this continent of 
which he had not some knowledge. Besides the Abna- 
kis language, which he spoke for a long time, he knew also 
the Huron, the Otaonais, and the Illinois. He availed 
himself of them with great effect in the different missions 
where they are used. Since his arrival in Canada, he was 
never seen to act inconsistently with his character; he was 
always firm and courageous, severe to himself, tender and 
compassionate in his regard to others. 

Three years ago by order of Monsieur, our Governor, I 
made a journey through Acadia. In conversation with 
Father Rasles, I represented to him, that in case they 
declared war against the Indians, he would run the risk of 
his life; that his village, being but fifteen leagues distant 
from the English forts, he would find himself exposed to 
the first irruptions; that his preservation was necessary to 
his flock, and that he ought to take measures for his own 
security. "My measures are taken," he answered in a firm 
tone; " God has committed this flock to my care, and I will 
share its lot, being too happy, if permitted to sacrifice my 
life for it." He repeated often the same thing to his neo- 
phytes to strengthen their constaacy in the faith. " We have 
had but too good a proof," they themselves have said to me, ' 
"that our dear Father spoke to us from the abundance of 
his heart; we have seen him, with a tranquil and serene 
air, meeV death, and oppose himself alone to the fury of the 
enemy, to retard their first efforts, for the purpose of giving 
us time to escape the danger and to preserve our lives. 

May it please the Lord that his blood, shed for so just a 
cause, may enrich these heathen lands so often watered by 
the blood of the evangelical laborers who have preceded us; 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 37 

that it may render theru fertile in earnest Christians, and 
that it may animate the zeal of apostolical men to come 
and reap the abundant harvest which is offered by so many 
people still shrouded in the shadow of death. Nevertheless, 
as it appertains only to the Church to declare the names of 
the saints, I recommend him to. your holy sacrifices, and to 
those of all the Fathers. And I pray you not to forget him 
who is, with much respect, etc." 

We cannot conclude this letter without quoting from Dr. 
♦Convers Francis' Life of Rale — to which we have been 
indebted for many of these notes — a couple of passages 
describing the present appearance of the spot on which this 
tragedy of Rasles' death took place: " Whoever has visited 
the pleasant town of Korridgwoek, as it now is, must have 
heard of Indian Old Point, as the people call the place 
where Rasles' village stood, and perhaps curiosity may have 
carried him thither. If so, he has found a lovely sequestred 
spot in the depths of nature's stillness, on a point around 
which the waters of the Kennebec, not far from their con- 
fluence with those of Sandy River, sweep on their beauti- 
ful course, as if to the music of the rapids above — a spot 
over which the sad memory of the past, without its passions, 
will throw a charm, and on which he will believe that the 
ceaseless worship of nature, might blend itself with' the aspi- 
rations of Christian devotion. He will find, that vestiges of 
the old settlement are not wanting now; that broken uten- 
sils, glass beads, and hatchets have been turned up, by the 
husbandman's plough, and are preserved by the people of 
the neighborhood ; he will turn away from the place with 
the feeling, that the hatefulness of the mad spirit of war, is 
aggravated by such connection with nature's sweet retire- 
ments. 

With the Rev. W. J. Kip, now Protestant Bishop of 
California, we close this greatly abridged, yet still most 



38 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

touching narration with another quotation from Whittier's 
poem of " Mogg Megone," describing Rasles' Indian village 
after the ruin : 

" No wigwam smoke is curling there; 
The very earth is scorched and bare * 
And they pause and listen to catch a sound 
Of breathing life, but there comes not one, 
Save the fox's bark and the rabbit's bound ; 
And here and there, on the blackened ground, 

White bones are glistening in the sun. 
And where the house of prayer arose. 
And the holy hymn at daylight's close, 
And the aged priest stood up to bless 
The chil Iren of the wilderness, 
There is naught, save ashes sodden and dank, 
And the birchen boats of the Norridgwock, 
Tethered to tree, and stump, and rock, 
Rotting along the river bank! " 

The spot on which the Xorridgwock missionary fell, was 
marked, some time after his death, by the erection of a 
cross. This, it is said, in process of time, was cut down by 
a company of hunters. I believe it was replaced by some 
rude memorial in stone. But in 1833, a permanent monu- 
ment was erected in honor of Rale. . > . An acre of land 
was purchased, including the site of Rale's church and his 
orave. - Over the grave, on the 23d of August, 1833, the 
anniversary (according to the New Style) of the fight at 
Xorridgwock, and just one hundred and nine years after its 
occurrence, the foundation was laid and the monument 
raised with much ceremony, amidst a large concourse of 
people. Bishop Fenwick, of Boston, directed the cere- 
monies and delivered an address full of appropriate interest. 
Delegates from the Penobscot, Passamaquaddy, and Canada 
Indians were present on the occasion. The monument is 
about twenty feet bigrh, including an iron cross with which 
it is surmounted. On the south side of the base, fronting 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 69 

the Kennebec River, is an appropriate and somewhat 'long 
Latin inscription." p. 329, 

All that is generally read of this interesting mission is 
contained in the following words of an estimable historian: 

" In 1640 the Jesuits were invited, by a deputation from 
the Abanakis Indians, to resume their missions in Maine. 
The Jesuit Fathers La Chasse, two Fathers Bigot, Logard, 
and Sirenne, and Aubry, preached the gospel so 'effectually 
as to convert that powerful tribe. The mission long retained 
its zeal and fervour. But when Canada was conquered by 
England, the English from Massachusetts spread fire and 
death through the villages of the Abanakis; the missionaries 
were driven away, or slain-; the churches destroyed; and 
the Indians deprived of all the consolations of faith. Yet 
these poor Indians remained true to their religion. Down 
to our day, they have resisted the preachers of Protestantism, 
and the remnants of this tribe, still occupy five villages in 
Maine and Canada, they are all Catholics, as their forefathers 
have been for two centuries. 



CHAPTER IV. 

INDIANS. 

In the preliminary details of this history, it was wished to 
give an idea of all the early Catholic Missionaries by 
authentic details of one who, though heroic, was surpassed 
in austerities and sufferings by many others. 0. H. Mar- 
shall, Esq., passing over the dead and martyred Francis- 
cans, says of the Jesuits: "During this same period, 
fifty-five of the Order arrived in Canada, of which number 
sixteen returned. One was frozen, two were drowned, 
fourteen died, seven suffered martyrdom by the Iroquois, 
five were otherwise killed, leaving ten remaining in the 
c 



40 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

country in 1657. Thus, in a few years, of fifty-five priests, 
but twenty-six escaped from violent death or martyrdom . 
And most of the small remnant soon passed away to eternal 
rest, on account of fatigues and sufferings for souls redeemed 
by Christ. 

In few but eloquent words, Mr. Marshall follows the 
successors of those martyred" missionaries, " as they located 
at Sau It St. Marie and the Fond d'u Lac of Green Bay, on 
the pictoresque islands of Mackinaw and along the borders 
of the Illinois and Mississppi rivets. They doubled in their 
frail canoes, the head lands of Lake Superior, discovered 
the mines which abound on its shores and founded a 
mission at its farthest extremity." But it is time to return 
from herioc personal' virtue, to consider tlirose sacred ways 
of God's Providence by which t*he light of faith first dawned 
on Western New- York and on this diocese. 

" Savage indeed, in many respects, as the Indians appeared 
to be," says Turner, "yet the kindest hospitality, from 
the purest motives was always readily extended to their 
foreign guests; and perhaps the golden cord of friendship 
would forever have remained unbroken,, had (Jie red man 
been the first to begin hostilities. ''Welcome English;;!' 
"welcome English," (The word " English," was too bard 
for Indian pronunciation, hence, in Indian mouths the 
welcome was: "welcome Yingees," "welcome Yingees;" 
hence the name Yankee;) are words intimately associated ■ 
with early American history. These were the first accents 
our Pilgrim Fathers heard on the American strand, and 
ever have the same grateful sounds greeted the ears of 
the whites, upon their first interview with the rude sons 
of the forest. Had the disposition of the Aborigines been 
any other than friendly, the feeble colonies first planted on 
American soil would have been speedily annihilated." 
The following is an extract, from the first sermon e^er ; 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 41 

preached in New England. It was by one of the Pilgrims. 
"To us the Indians have been like lambs, so kind, so sub- 
missive, and trusty, as a man may truly say, many Chris- 
tians are not so kind and sincere; when we first came into 
this country, we were few, and many of us sick, and many 
died by reason of the cold and wet, it being the depth of 
winter, and we having no horses or shelter; yet, when there 
were not six able persons among us, though the Indians 
cam? daily to us, by hundreds, with their sachems or kings, 
and might, in one hour, have made a dispatch of us, yet 
they never offered us the least injury. The greatest com- 
mander cometh often to visit us, often sends us presents, &ev" 

The Respectable Protestant writer who quotes this ser- 
mon, continues thus ''And yet aggressions and wrongs 
commenced on the part of our race, in its earliest intercourse 
with theirs; were some of his own race, the chronicler of 
events — commencing with the discovery of Columbus and 
coming down to our own day of pre-emption bribes, and 
treaties attained with wrong and outrage — he would gather 
up a fearful account." — Turner, Hist, of the H. P. 76. k * The 
Pilgrim Fathers" begun the war of oppression "and cruelty; 
the Indians, savagely retaliated." The last law of the 
" Holy Pilgrims" destroyed the Indian race within their 
reach. We quote Bancrofts Hist, of U.S. Vol. III. p. 217. 

The Indians could not be reduced by the usual method 
of warfare: hence lt a bounty was offered for every Indian 
scalp; to regular forces under pay, the grant Avas ten 
pounds; to volunteers, in- actual service, twice that sum; 
but if men would, of themselves, without pay, make up 
parties and patrol the forests, in search of Indians, as of old 
the woods were scoured for wild beasts, the chase was invig- 
orated by the promised encouragement of fifty pounds, (two 
hundred and fifty dollars) for each scalp." 

An educated Cayuga chief spoke thus before the New 



42 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

York Historical Society. " The land of Ya-nun-no, or the 
"Empire State," as you love to call it, was once traced by 
our trails, from Alban'y to Huftalo. fYais that we had trod 
for centuries — trails worn so deep by 'the feet of the Iroquois, 
that they became your road of travel, as your possessions 
gradually eat into those of my people. Your roads still 
traverse those same lines of communication, which bound 
"one part of the long house to the other. Have we, the 
'first-holders of this prosperous region, no longer a share in 
Vont history ? Glad were your fathers to sit down upon 
'the treshold of the Long House. Rich did they hold them- 
selves in getting the mere sweepings from its door. Had 
our Forefathers spurned you from it, when the French were 
thundering at the opposite side; to get a passage through; 
and drive you into the sea; whatever has been the fate of 
other Indians, we might still have had a nation, and I — I, 
instead of pleading here for the privelege of lingering within 
.your borders, I— -I might have a country. 1 ' [Turner.] 

It is sad, yet often instructive, to take a review of sins 
long past, and of the retribution in time which follow them. 
When our forefathers reached this land, the Indians were 
numerous, confiding and generous. The State of New York, 
especially, was filled with Indians. In it, and stretching 
into Ohio, were the Erie or Cat Nation ; where Buffalo now 
stands, and west and east of it, was the Neuter Nation, then, 
bending eastward, with the course of the waters, were the 
Senecas, the Cayugas, the Gnondagas, the Oneidas, and the 
Mohawks; on the Susquehana were the Andastas or Canes- 
togues. The Delawares and ethers dwelt south and west of 
these tribes. 

Thirteen different tribes of Indians, all of whom are now 
extinct, dwelt on Long Island; many others to the east, 
amongst which the Massachusetts early attached themselves 
to the English, their name means " Toward the Big Moun- 
tain, Massatzoick. 



MISSIONS IN "WES^IJSNk NEW YORft; 4fe£ 

A writer who supposed Hudson to. have been, the first to* 
visit our State says: "The first, Eivropean advent to our 
State was marked by inflicting en the Indian race a curse, 
more terrible in its consequences than all else combined. 
While Hudson's vessel lay in the river, near Albany, great 
multitudes of savages flocked on boards In order to discover 
whether "any of the chiefe men, of the country, had any 
treacherie in them,' 7 our master and mate took them into, 
the cabin, and gave them- so much wine and aquavitce, that 
they were all merrie.. One of them became intoxicated, 
staggered and fell, at which the natives were astonished.''* 
It was *'* strange to them, for they could not tell how to* 
take it.'' Thev all Hurried ashore in their canoes. The. 
intoxicated Indian remaining." 

In 1609, Hudson entered the Hudson river, lie testifies, 
to the friendly disposition of the natives. They soon com- 
plained that efforts had heed made on his part to kidnap, 
two Indians. Afterwards some Indians attracted by curiosity,, 
and having, perhaps, imperfect ideas of 'the- rights of prop- 
erty, stole iiito-'the cabin window, and pilfered" a pillow and 
some wearing apparel. The Indian was shot at and 1 killed j; 
another Indian was killed in recovering* the- property. 
Following after these events, was a concerted attempt oris 
the part of the natives kh get possession of the ship. It 
failed. Nine of the Indians were killed, none of the Eu-. 
ropeans. Thus a relation that begin in friendship, ended 
in war. [Turner 83';]* 

The English " Plymouth Company," in T613, fitted out 
two vessels, and placed! one of them under the command of' 
Capt. Smith and the other, Capt. Hunt This expedition ex- 
plored with care the whole coast from Cape Cod to Penob- 
scot. Captain Hhint, who commanded one of the vessels, 
instead of returning with Smith, enticed a number of In- 
dians aboart.1 Ms- vessel, aud, touching at Mjalagar,, on his. 



44 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

homeward voyage, sold them as slaves; thus, upon the 
threshold of New England civilization, provoking the na- 
tives to abandon their pacific policy, and look upon the new 
coiners as enemies. The very next vessel that visited the 
coast of New England brought news of their vindictive hos- 
tility." Turner, 82. 

"In the autumn of 1650 and spring of 1651, two fron- 
tier villages of the Neutral Nation, one of which was located 
near what is now Buffalo, were sacked and destroyed by 
the Senecas. The largest village contained 1,600 men. 
Those spared from death were taken to Ganuogareo, a Sen- 
eca village east of the Genesee River, where they were, 
found by Father F rem in, in 1669. 

The "relations," which will be here continued, of the 
mission, will also afford glimpses of the Indian history. 
Wlnm the Indian missions on the American side were 
crushed, the Indian race rapidly sunk into almost vassal- 
age. The following remarks from a distinguished Protes- 
tant writer, may be considered their epitaph: 

"It becomes us not to forget those distinguished braves, 
(the Six Nations,) who so freely shed their blood for their 
English allies. . . . Had it not been for the long contin- 
ued friendship of these distinguished people, and the inesti- 
mable service rendered by them in the English wars with 
the French, it is not at all certain that the English would 
have been successful; and it is possible, if not probable, that 
the colonies would have been governed by the French/' 
He then tells us that these Indians, in the war of Ameri- 
can independence, were on the side of England, "and ren- 
dered essential service to the Crown." Page .SI 7. "But, 
after the war of the Revolution, the English treated their 
Indian allies with great indifference and neglect." In the 
treaty there was no stipulation made in behalf of the In- 
dians. By treaties, they were gradually deprived of their 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 45 

lands. In 1814, in council at Buffalo, the OneiJas, Onon- 
dagas, Cayugas, and Senecas pledged themselves to the 
American cause, against England. They fought and bled 
at Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, etc., under the gallant gener- 
als, Brown, Scott, Ripley, and Porter. "Their services have 
never been duly appreciated, and the scanty piitance meted 
out for their services (he might also say for their land,) is 
but a common illustration of the gratitude and magnanimi- 
ty of powerful nations toward the w T eaker. " History of On- 
ondagas, "page Si 6. 

Among the old traditions of the Indians, the following 
speech 'is stated to have caused the celebrated Confederacy 
of the Indians. The prediction of ruin through division was 
too well accomplished. God grant that the sad experience 
of a once powerful race, now fast passing away, may aid in 
restoring union to our far nobler, our far more prosperous 
confederacy. 

" The council assembled, and all were anxious to hear the 
words of Hi-a-wat ha. A breathless silence ensued, and the 
venerable counselor began : 

" Friends and Brothers:: You are members of many 
tribes and nations. You have come here, many of you, a 
great distance from your homes. We have convened tor 
one common purpose, to promote one common interest, and 
that is, to provide for our mutual safety, and how it shall 
be best accomplished. To oppose these hordes of northern 
foes by tribes, singly and alone, woul 1 .prove our certain de- 
struction; we can make no progress in that way. We must 
unite ourselves into one common hand of brothers. Our 
warriors, United, would surely repel these rude invaders, 
and drive them from our borders. This must be done and 
we shall be safe. 

*' You, the Mohawks, siting under the shadow of the 
Great T-r-ee^ whose roots sink deep into the earth, and whose 



4§; MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

"branches spread over a vast country, shall be the first na- 
tion, becau.se you are warlike and mighty. 

"And you, Gneidas, a people who recline your bodies 
ao-ainst the Everlasting Stone, that can not be moved, shall 
be the second nation,, because you give wise counsel. 

"And you, Onoadagas, who have your habitation at the 
Great Mountain, and are overshadowed by its crags, shall 
be the third nation, because you are greatly gifted in speech, 
and mighty in wai\ 

"And you, Cayugas, a people whose habitation is the 
Park Forest, and whose home is everywhere, shall be the 
fourth nation, because of your superior cunning in hunting. 
"And you, Senecas, a people who live in the Open Coun- 
try, and possess much wisdom, shall be the fifth nation, be- 
cause you. understand better the art of raising corn and 
beans, and making cabins. 

" You, five great and powerful nations, must unite, and 
have but one common interest, and no foe shall be able to 
disturb or subdue you, 

'•'And you, Manhattees, Nyacks, Montauks, and others, 
who are as the feeble Bushes; and you, Naragansetts, Mo- 
hegans, Wampanoags, and your neighbors, who are a Fish- 
ing People, may place yourselves under our protection. Be 
with us, and we will defend yon, lou of the South, and 
you of the West may do the same, and. we will protect you. 
"We earnestly desire your alliance and friendship. 

"Brothers, if we unite in this bond, the Great Spirit will 
smile upon us, and w.e shall be free, prosperous, and happy. 
But if we remain as we are, we shall be subject to his frown; 
we shall be enslaved^ ruined, perhaps, annihilated forever. 
We shall perish, and our names be blotted out from among 
the nations of men. Brothers, these are the words of Hi-a- 
wat-ha; let them S-in^ deep into, your hearts. I hare 
said K * 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN KEW YORK. 4/ 

CHAPTER V. 

RELIGION, RITES AND CEREMONIES. 

These Indians believe in one Great and Good Spirit, 
styled in the language of the Onondagas, Ha-vvah-ne-u, who 
is the Creator of the world ; the Holder of the Heavens; the 
Master of Breath; the Maker of men and useful animals. 
He is the controller of events; He rules the destinies of 
men; supplies them with the comforts and conveniences of 
life: makes abundance of game in the hunting grounds, and 
supplies the streams with fish, and the air with birds. He 
is believed to be the peculiar Deity of the red man, and they 
are his peculiar people. 

To this Great and Good Being they address their prayers, 
render thanks for success in hunting, and for victories in war. 
To him they offer sacrifices and chant their songs of praise. 
These things they do with a regularity, devotion, and rev- 
erence, in the midst of a Christian people, within the influ- 
ences of the Gospel; and adhere to them with a tenacity 
that should make their Christian neighbors ashamed. 

In each year, they hold five stated festivals, for a general 
assembling of their clans. Upon these occasions, all join in 
thanksgiving to the Great and Good Spirit for blessings re- 
ceived from his beneficent hand; the old men converse upon 
the best means of meriting hk favors, and of continuing 
to merit them in future. 

The fifth ov last festival, the crowning one of the year, 
and the one to which most importance is attached, is cele- 
brated late in the month of January, or early in the month 
of February, according; to, the phases of the moon. The 
Indian year is reckoned by moons,, an-d this great national 
festival is hekl at the full moo-o,, nearest the first of our 
month Febnvarv*. 



48 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

The hunters having all returned from the chase, and 
having brought in their venison and skins, that have been 
taken, and a portion of these trophies having been deposited 
in the council house, two sets of managers are appointed, 
numbering from ten to twenty young men on a side. 
These are chosen to superintend all the concerns relative to 
the grand festival, thanksgiving, and sacrifice, which is im- 
mediately to take place. 

Arrangements are made at the council house for the re- 
ception and accommodation of the whole nation. This being 
done, the managers are ready to commence their appropri- 
ate duties, during the whole of which they act with great 
formality, order, and decorum. 

On the first day, a select number from each party of the 
managers, some four or live, start from the council house, 
and run with all possible speed to every cabin in the nation, 
knocking on the doors and sides of the houses, informing 
the people that all things are now ready, and that they 
must immediately repair to the council house, and partake 
of the festivities of the occasion. The fire is now extin- 
guished in every cabin, the committee enter the dwelling, 
(the inmates expecting them.) and, with a small wooden 
shovel, scatter the ashes in every direction. The hearths 
are made clean; new fire is struck from the flint and rekin- 
dled: thus they proceed from house to house till every one 
is visited and purified. During these proceedings the re- 
maining part of the managers are engaged at the council 
house in firing guns, hallooing, shouting, <fec. , lo inform the 
people that the ceremonies have commenced. They meet 
all those who come to the frtival, greet them most cordially, 
and conduct them into the council house. 

This is the course pursued on the first day. The second 
day, the managers assemble early at the council house, and 
receive from the master of ceremonies instructions for the 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 49 

day. When ready to depart, several guns are usually fired, 
accompanied by shouting and hallooing. On this day, the 
managers are fantastically dressed, and proceed fiom house 
to house, with baskets, collecting the gifts of the people 
with which to grace the festival , These gifts consist of 
pork, beef, bread, beans, pease, ears of corn, tobacco, 
savory herbs, small handfuls of straw, nicely bound, and ev- 
erv article is received that is useful for food, for incense, or 
for sacrifice. Every one is bound to give something, or he 
is not to be include'.! in the general absolution. Each man- 
ager, in his round of alms— gathering, carries a large rattle, 
made of dried tortoise shell, in which are small stones, pease, 
or beans. These they rattle violently in the several cabins, 
earnestly inviting the people to bestow their t-ifts. These 
proceedings are continued for several days according to the 
time allotted for the continuance of the festival. During 
ail this time, the people who are assembled at the council 
house, are engaged in leaping, running, dancing, and their 
nat : ve sporis. 

On the day preceding the last, the managers, having 
gathered all the sins of the nation to themselves, and made 
full report of all their proceedings to the person who offi- 
ciates as high priest, or master of ceremonies, the day is 
spent in preparation for the great day of sacrifice, whisk is 
to take place on the morrow. This day is concluded with 
demonstrations of joy, festivity and dancing. 

The last day, and the one to which most consequence is 
attached, being the great day of sacrifice, the people assem- 
ble at the council h.mse in groat numbers. The exercises 
commence, by building }n<:ge fires early in the morning, by 
firing guns, and loud hallooing. The wood for the sacrificial 
offering is arranged near the council house, by laying near 
half a cord in alternate layers, cross wise. This is done by a 
select committee of the managers, who proceed with consid- 
erable ceremony. 



50 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

A house, near the council house, is selected as a place in 
which to make preparation. To this the managers pro- 
ceed, and prepare themselves for the occasion. One from 
each party is selected as a leader They are dressed in long 
loose shirts of white; others are appropriately dressed, as 
managers, <fcc, according to the duties thej T are expected to 
perform. The grand master of ceremonies, or high priest, 
takes his station at the council house, and to him reports 
are made of the progress of the proceedings, and he, in turn 
gives new directions. Messengers are continually pas- 
sing and re-passing from the council house to the house of 
preparation. On the occasion, at which notes for this arti- 
cle were taken, the venerable Oh-he-nu presided with great 
dignity. Having arrived at an early hour, we found this 
gray-headed chief gravely seated near the center of the 
council house, discoursing to his people, receiving messages, 
and giving directions. 

About nine o'clock, the managers rushed out of the 
house of preparation, and two white dogs, fantastically 
painted with red figures, and adorned with small belts of 
wampum feathers, and ribbons tied around their necks, legs, 
and tails, followed them. A long rope, with a single knot 
in the centre, was instantly passed over the head of one of 
them, when some eight or ten of the managers seized the rope 
on either side, commenced pulling Instil} 1 , each party occa- 
sionally yielding to the other, as if to give greater force to 
their operations. After a few struggles, the dog was suffo- 
cated, and hung up on a ladder, which leaned against the 
house. The other dog was disposed of in precisely the 
same manner, and hung beside his fellow. Guns were now- 
fired, and some thirty or forty persons rushed out of the 
council-house, gave three tremendous yells, and retired. 
After about half an hour, the dogs were taken down, and 
carried into the house of preparation. To this house spec- 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 51 

tators were not admitted, and what particular ceremonies 
were there performed, we have no means of knowing. 
These dogs are always white, or as nearly so as they can 
procure them; spot or blemish renders them unsuitable for 
sacrifice. A wound producing an effusion of blood would 
be productive of the same consequences. 

By some peculiar manoeuvering, the sins of the people, 
which had become concentrated in the managers, are now 
transferred to the two individuals, who are clad in the white 
garments. These, b} T some peculiar ceremony, again work 
those sins off, into the dogs. These animals, thus laden 
with the sins of the natic-n are raised upon the shoulders of 
two persons appointed for that purpose, {their legs being 
tied so as to admit of their being slung, like a pack.) A 
procession is formed in ranks of double files, .preceded by 
the two men dressed in white, and others of the managers, 
followed by as many others as may choose to join them. 
The procession moves slowly and silently, with measured 
step, around the house of preparation, through the council- 
house, which has two doors, one opposite the other, and 
around it. After which they are brought in, and the dogs 
laid upon a platform, about a foOt from the loor. As they 
enter the council-house for the last time, they break into 
single file. W^iile these ceremonies were going On at the 
house of preparation and out of doors, others of importance 
were observed in the council-house. 

The offerings which had been collected were disposed of 
upon pins around the council-room. The master of cere- 
monies, during the whole progress of proceedings, remained 
stationary, seated in the centre of the council-room. To 
him were brought, at different times, at intervals of about 
two minutes, every article which had been -deposited. 
Every person who brought a piece of pork-, a paper of 
tobacco, a b«;li of herbs, or a handfull of straw, stopped 



52 MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW YORK. 

about three paces from him, holding it towards him, look 
ing him full in the face with the greatest attention. After 
he had said a few words, the old chief took it in his hands, 
over which he uttered a short ejaculatoiy prayer or thanks- 
giving, after which a hearty response was made by all 
present. It was then returned to the place from which it 
had been taken. Every article of the offerings was pre- 
sented and returned in like manner. The females present 
participated in these ceremonies. All the messengers who 
addressed the chief halted at a respectful distance, and 
stood a moment in silence before they made their commu- 
nications. These events all transpired at the council- house 
before the dogs were brought in. After the dogs were 
brought in, the procession, in single file, moved three times 
round the platform, before they were laid down. At each 
round, the master of ceremonies rose in a sedate and digni- 
fied manner, clapped his hands on the shoulders of the 
bearer of the dog who was foremost in the procession. He 
stopped in the precise position he was in when the hand of 
the chief was laid upon his shoulder, and there remained 
as motionless as a statue for the space of a minute, during 
which he was addressed in a whisper by the master of 
ceremonies. Several other chiefs addressed those who 
carried the dogs, in the same manner, and again the pro- 
cession moved on. After this, the dogs were laid upon the 
•platform, and all joined in loud singing and chanting, 
while the procession continued slowly moving around the 
dead carcasses of the dogs, with the most devout solemnity. 
While these ceremonies were proceeding in the council 
house, fire had been applied to the altar of wood outside. 
The pile had become nearly half consumed and yielded great 
heat; while around it, in, a circle, had been drawn a line, 
within which it was not intended spectators should pass. 
This, however, availed nothing, for the moniuit the pro- 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 53 

cession had drawn around the fire, the area was crowded 
to its utmost capacity. 

Under the direction of " Oh-he-nu," the "bearers of the 
dogs again resumed their burdens; a procession was formed 
in single file, the master of ceremonies taking the lead. 
Then followed the men in white robes, the persons who 
carried the dogs, the managers and others promiscuously. 
As the procession moved along, the principal actors in the 
scene commenced singing, which continued while the whole 
marched arouned the council house to the place of sacrifice. 
Around the burning pile they moved three separate times, 
the last of which, the master of ceremonies stopped on the 
•west side, with his face to the east and towards the fite. 
The remainder of the procession formed around the circle; 
the persons in white being on the left hand of the high 
priest, and those bearing the dogs near them. 

The leader of the ceremonies offered a short prayer to 
the Great Spirit; a sacrificial chant was sung; the dogs were 
laid at the feet of the officiating priest; another prayer was 
ottered; another chant was sung, when one of the dogs was 
cast into the fire by the high priest. A like ceremony was 
performed, and the remaining dog was also thrown upon 
the burning pile, and again followed the chanting. Differ- 
ent individuals now brought forward basktes of herbs, to- 
bacco, and such like, which were at intervals thrown upon 
the fire, and, with the consuming dogs, produced a variety 
of scents not easily comprehended. After the dogs were 
nearly consumed, the procession was again formed and re- 
turned to the council house, and the committee were di- 
rected to go to the preparation house. The solemnities of 
this day being concluded, they formally adjourned. The 
accustomed ceremonies of this interesting season are usually 
concluded by a war dance and feast on the same day after 
the sacrifice." 



54 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

We will fitly close by the following remarks of the same 
author, Mr. Clark, in his History of the Onondagas, vol. 1, 
page 70. 

•• Sacrifices have in all ages and by almost every ration 
been regarded as necessary to appease divine anger, and to 
render Daity propitious." Pag 3 70. "The origin of the 
institution of sacrifices is clearly traceable to Divine author- 
ity, and to that pure primeval period when our original an- 
cestor and his sons were yet upon earth." * 

Early in the morning, previous to the commencement 
of the war dance, several large kettles had been placed over 
the fires, in which were cooking the ingredients, upon which 
the whole nation were at liberty to feast. The contents 
were composed of meat, corn, beans, pease, potatoes, tur- 
nips, some garden herbs, which served for seasoning, and 
other things which had been previously gathered in the 
baskets. After the close of the war dance, and the peace 
dance; the feast was made ready, by removing the kettles to 
a convenient distance from the fires. 

The mass was frequently stirred till the whole became 
completely mixed. The contents of the kettles were de- 
voured without regard to politeness or ceremony. Some 
dipped from the kettles with spoons, others skimmed out the 
more substantial parts w 7 ith chips, some were provided with 
bowls and spoons, while others, as soon as the scalding ali- 
ment was sufficiently cooled, thrust in their fingers, and thus 

*Of course the primeval idea of rewards and punishments beyond 
the grave, exists among the Indians. But it. is strange that an idea 
common to the Hebrews in their last state before the coming of Christ 
should also prevail among the Indians. Like those Hebrews. In- 
dians believe that no Indian, who has not quit his national religion 
will be lost forever. He will, if not good, go to the bad hunting 
ground, pursue, through briars and thorns, deer so lean that, when 
taken, they can not be eaten, yet, after expiation, he will be admit- 
ted to the good hunting ground. But if he quit his national reli- 
gion, he is lo&t for ever. 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 55 

obtained their share. After a reasonable time, the whole 
had vanished, and all appeared to be refreshed and satisfied. 
The pipe of peace was now lighted, and the presiding offi- 
cer of the past ceremonies drew the first draught, puffed the 
first whiff, and was very careful that a large quantity of 
smoke should issue from his mouth at the same time, which 
he took great pains to make ascend in graceful curls, and 
watched them with peculiar enjoyment. The pipe was pass- 
ed from him to the other chiefs present, and from them to 
the old men, who all partook of it with a commendable 
relish. 

Having concluded the ceremonies of the great festival, and 
all its requirements being fulfilled, every one feels himself 
absolved from the sins of the past year, and forms new res^ 
olutions for the time to come. Congratulations are ex- 
changed, and new hopes excited; free from iniquity and re- 
solved to follow the path of evil no more; each one repairs 
to his home, happy in the propitious commencement of a 
riew year, in perfect readiness to embark in all the opera- 
tions of war, the chase, the council, or the cabin. 

During the celebration of these ceremonies, the Indians 
observe the strictest sobriety and propriety of conduct, and 
seem pleased with the company of visitors and strangers 
who are disposed to treat them respectfully. 

These dances of the Onondagas, which are similar to those 
of the other five nation?, may, with propriety, be called the 
descriptive dances. They are intended to exhibit some ac- 
tion, or series of actions, generally relating to war, and the 
imitation is often so close and so exactly executed, that the 
most indifferent spectator can follow the intentions of the 
performers. Dances are rather a business than a pastime. 
They mingle with all the occupations and enterprizes of life. 
When war is declared and proclaimed, it is by means of a 
dance, and the warriors who engage in it, are thereby 



56 missions rs western srsrw york. 

enlisted. When an alliance is concluded, or peace restorecT r 
the event is celebrated by a dance, corresponding to the 
difference of circu instances. The war dance is the exact im- 
age of a campaign. 

The Baron Lihoretan, speaking of the dances of the Amer- 
ican Indians, says: "These dances may 03 compared to 
the military dance of Minora ; for these savages observe, 
whilst dancing, with singular gravity, the harmonv of cer- 
tain songs, which the Greek soMiers of Achilles called Hy- 
porchematiqnes." 

It is not easy to decide wherher the savages Teamed them 
of the Greeks, or the Greeks of the savages. 

Charlevoix, upon the same subject, remarks that the 
greatest of their feasts, their songs and dances appear 10 have 
their origin in religion, and stifl preserve some tracs of 
it. I have met with some who could not help th'nking 
that our savages were descended from the Jews, and f >una 
in everything some affinity between these people and the 
children of God. Indeed, there are, in some things, a strong 
resemblance. 

The origin of the institution of sacrifice, as before remark- 
ed, is clearly traceable to Divine authority. Cain brought 
of the fruits of the ground an offering; and his brother 
Abel, of the firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof. 
From the examples of the early chosen people of God, the 
Gentile nations received or retained their notions of sac- 
rifice, and on this account, we need not wonder to find so 
many coincidences in the sacrificial systems of the Jews, and 
the neighboring nations. All false religions can be consid- 
ered only as departures from the true 

The principal yearly sacrifice of the Jews, were the Pas- 
chal lamb, at the Passover, celebrated at the commencement 
of the sacred year, the day of Pentecost, or first fruits, lastly, 
the day of expiation or great day of atonement. Two 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN KEW YORK. 5? 

others were afterwards added. Besides these, were the 
monthly festivals, and others of less importance; yet they 
were nevertheless attended with the greatest punctuality, 
but never more so, than are the five stated festivals of the 
Six Nations to this day, at Onondaga. Before the law was 
given to Moses, burnt offerings served for all purposes of 
Divine worship, whether they gave thanks for blessings, or 
deprecated evil, or prayed for good. These sacrifices expi- 
ated sins of omission, as" well as those of commission. This 
rite has been transmitted, with more or less of corruption, 
even to the w r ilds of America, and continued to the present 
time, among a people, shut out, we know not. how long, 
from all intercourse with the old world. 

The priests office was at first, undoubtedly, exercised by 
beads of families, and afterwards by heads of clans. And, 
previous to the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the 
priesthood, the office of priest and of magistrate were blend- 
ed in the same person. 

Melchisedeck was both a king and priest of Salem and 
offered sacrifice. 

Abraham, who was styled a prince, performed the sacer- 
dotal functions; and Jethro, a prince and priest of Midian, 
offered burnt sacrifices as a priest, being at the same time 
a ruler of his people. So the chiefs of the Six Nations, 
invariably officiate as priests at their festivals or sacrifices. 

The place of sacrifice was directed, bv the Jewish cere- 
monial, to be at the door of the tabernacle or place of 
worship; and, in like manner, is the Indian sacrifice univer- 
sally made at the door of their council house, their only 
place of worship. 

The Jewish priests, on all sacrificial occasions, were 
clothed in robes of pure white; and so are those clothed 
who officiate as priests at the Indian sacrifices. 



58 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

On sacrificial occasions, the alms and offerings of trio 
Jews were, gathered in baskets, brought to the altar, and 
set before the priest, with the strictest order and propriety* 
Almost precisely the same practice exists among the In- 
dians, who gather the alms and oblations of the people, and 
present them to the officiating high priest in a basket. 

The Jews offered in sacrifice only oxen, sheep, and goats; 
other animals, although they might be esteemed good for 
food, were unsuited for sacrifice. It may be asked, then, 
Why the dog, an animal entirely rejected from the Jewish 
ceremonial, should be received among the Indians as an an- 
imal suitable for sacrifice? Let it be borne in mind that, 
not many years since, dogs were their only domestic ani- 
mals; wild animals being nowhere commanded for sacri- 
fice, these were the only ones they could have always at 
hand. They were forced to adopt them or reject the rite 
entirely. 

By the Jews, in the selection of "Victims for sacrifice, the 
utmost care was taken to choose such only as were free fronl 
blemish. " Without spot and without blemish," are the 
terms in frequent use throughout the Jewish ritual. And 
it was a custom among the nations surrounding Judea, and 
among the Egyptians* to set a seal upon the victim deemed 
proper for sacrifice. Among the Indians, a spot, or blem-- 
ish, or maim, renders the animal as unfit for sacrifice, as did 
the same faults, among the Jews. 

We have endeavored to point out a few of the coinciden- 
ces which maybe supposed to exist between some of the 
ceremonies of the Jews, and those of the Indians as prac j 
ticed at Onondaga.' We are satisfied that they prove noth- 
ing positively, as to their origin from that peculiar people. 
If any thing, they may illustrate the common origin of all 
men* and the high origin of all religious institutions, which 
at first must have emanated from the same source* 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 59 

The learned and estimable Protestant author of 4l Onan- 
daga," from whom the above is copied, might go further — 
be might show that nearly the same strange mingling of 
sublime truth with dangerous or ridiculous error, has been 
found in every pao-e of human history, whenever men 
have separated from a teaching Church. 

Sophocles, Eschylus, Meander assert at times, in 
sublime language, the uuity, eternity and sanctity of God. 
Cleanthus has a hymn or prayer, which was cited by 
St. Paul at Athens: ''Glorious and immortal King, adored 
under various names, eternally all-powerful, Author ot 
nature, governing the world by thy laws, I salute thee! 
Mortals are permitted to invoke thee, for we are thy off- 
spring! In the Philosophers and Poets, sometimes most 
clearly expressed, sometimes mingling with human fancies, 
we read of the Creation, the Fall, Immortality, and Judg- 
ment beyond the grave; the Guardian Angels, the minis- 
tering spirits that protect; the evil ones that tempt; the 
Supreme Mighty God, who directs and modifies their 
actions. Herodotus, who wrote about four hundred and 
fifty years before Christ, remarks that it was Hesiod and 
Homer who first gave a genealogy of the Gods, assigned to 
each of them a name and form; that before those poets, 
who, he remarks, lived only four hundred years before 
him, men adored the Gods who had submitted the universe 
to order, without giving them any name; for, says he, they 
never heard their name. Her. c. 2, 6, 52, 53. 

Euripides has a strong passage on this subject. He 
introduces Theseus reasoning with Hercules, and alleging 
the crimes of the Gods in extenuation of those of mortals; 
Hercules answers: "I have never believed, nor ever will 
1 believe, that the Gods give themselves up to incestuous 
love. A God, if he be God indeed, is in need of no one; 
it is the poets that have invented those miserable fictions." 



60 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

The learned are now more and more convinced that in 
Ancient Egypt; philosophy had the same religious founds 
tion as in India — a Sup erne and Only God, manifesting 
Iris Being under three principal forms or persons, a Creating 
Word, the Sovereign Intelligence, the Fall of Man, the 
Lope of a Redemption, Divine Incarnations, a Heaven, a 
Hell. Purgatory, (in most instances, by metempsychosis,) 
personifications of all that exist, the sun, moon, and stars, 
the Nile, the winds, the seasons, or rather the Divinity, 
manifested, reproduced in all these things, in some manner 
transformed into them; in a word, every truth serving as a 
base for e\ery error: tor no error can he presented unless 
mixed with some truth. A pure error is an impossibility: 
as a pure poison is impossible. The most active poison is 
ever united with water, or with something that is good, 
without which it could not be exhibited to man. 



C H AFTER VI. 

CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES. 

The eternal Providence of the Saviour God, who died 
44 that he might present to Himself a glorious Church, not 
having spot or wrinkle," ever watches over it, and, tar in 
advance, directs events to pi epare for the sanet.fication of 
each member "• of his body, which is the Church." Often, 
as in the Sacrfed Head, so in the members, this is visibly 
accomplished by the cross. From C.-mada began the work 
of converting the Indians of Western New York: to Can- 
ada, when persecution was aided by the penal laws of 
England; those converted Indians, who did not migrate to 
heaven, migrated. And i here, in their descendants, per- 
haps more numerous than ever, do they still worship the 
Son of Mary, in the land whence his blessed light, first 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 61 

shone upon (hem. It must not, tbon, seem strange tliat 
«mne space is here devo t*i, to missions on the Canadian 
side of the waters, that mark our boundary. A certain 
knowledge of them is necessary in order to understand our 
own missions. The rich mine, there glowing in generous, 
Christian, heroic virtue, may tempt ttse h storian a litie 
farther than is absolutely necessary. I' fforts, will be made 
to resist that temptation ; and if these efforts be not always 
successful, the reader will still be editied, and the time lost 
will be well repaid, by one generous thrill of holy desire, 
or of generous sympathy. 

In 1603, Champlain accompanied Pontorave to Canada, 
and examined carefully the River St. Lawrence. Even then 
lie is supposed to have planned a settlement there. On his 
second voyage, he reached Quebec in 1608. The place 
was called by the Indians " Kebhek," which means u a 
narrow passage." His views were comprehensive, his cour- 
age extraordinary, his labors great, his zeal for the missions 
truly Christian. Of his secular exploits, no judgment can 
here be pronounced. In 1615. he returned from France 
with Franciscan Fathers: their steps we will follow, but 
remark in passing tint, in 1633, Champlain, worn out by 
fatigue and preparing for deah, established an admirable 
order among his soldiers. The fort appeared to be a well- 
regulated Academy. Following the example of Champlain, 
all approached the sacraments; their deportment was edify- 
ing. During the repast^ one read: at dinner they read 
some pious history; at supper, the Lives of the Paints. At 
ni-iht. Champlain, like a good father, reunited them in his 
room, to make the examination of conscience, and recite 
night prayers. He also established in Canada the custom, 
so faithfully observed to our day, of ringing the Anr/elus 
Domini thrice each day. He died on December the 25tb, 
1635, having received with great piety, the sacraments of 



62 MISSIONS IN WESTERN N &^ YORK. 

the Church. Father Le Jeune. pronouuced the funeral 
diseoursa. His wife became a nun of the Ursuline Order, 
Jived holily and died in her convent in blessed hopes of 
eternal life, on the 20th of December, 1654. A splendid 
monument was erected over his grave, and when the vene- 
rable Father Charles Raymbould, worn out by apostolic 
labors, died in 1642, the Government, as a mark of special 
honor, had the remains of the honored priest, buried along- 
side of Champlain. 

The Franciscans who accompanied Champlain, on his 
yetum to Canada from his visit to Fiance, in 1615, were- 
four in number, and were of the Reform called Recollects. 
When Father James Garnier, Provincial of the Recollect 
Franciscans in Paris, sent a mission to Canada, that Society 
had already many missions in the New World. In 1621, 
the Recollects had in Spanish America five hundred con-. 
vents, distributed in twenty-two provinces. The Papal 
Brief given to the Franciscan Missionaries for Canada, con- 
tains ample powers, and was expedited in 1618. father 
Dennis Jamay was named first Commissary of the Mission* 
His companions were Fathers John Dolbeau, Joseph Le 
Caron, and Brother Pacific Du Plessis. The mission- 
aries reached Quebec in 1615. The first simple chapel 
was soon built; the first Mass was celebrated on the 25th 
of June, 1615. Other chapels were soon built in different 
places. Since then the ^ clean oblation" has indeed been 
perpetual in Canada. 

Le Caron soon started westward for the Huron country ; 
through almost incredible fatigues, incessantly working, 
though half starved, but never complaining, he reached the 
Huron country, and built the Franciscan chapel and altar,, 
near a Huron village. Great was the humble self-sacrificing 
zeal of those first missionaries; it is well to publish it, in the 
following eloquent passage, from the discourse of 0. H. 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. G3 

Marshall, Esq. " The glowing narrative of Bancroft Las 
thrown the drapery of romance, over the Jifes and labours 
of the Jesuits, whilst only a bare allusion is made, to the 
daring intrepidity, and self denying zeal of Le Caron, 
D'Albion, Du Plessis, and Jam ly, the humble Franciscans 
who with naked feet, and uncovered heads, threaded the 
forests, and first met the untamed Indian, in his home, on 
the borders of the northern Lakes." 

The labours of these zealous and self-sacrificing mission- 
aries, were repaid by many conversions. Henry de Levi, 
Duke of Ventadoiu, in 1623, retired from the Court took 
holy orders, became a priest, and organized a mission to 
Canada. Divine Providence thus disposed to meet the 
wants of the Franciscans; for whilst they were pursuing 
their labors in the mission, another Franciscan, Father Piat, 
went to Fiance to obtain the assistance of the Jesuits, who 
received the invitation with joy, and the following mission- 
aries, (already promised to the noble priest, Henri de Levj\) 
Father Claude, Sallamant, Father Edmont Massi, and 
Father John de Broebeuf, were ready to sail early in the 
year 1625. These first Jesuit missionaries soon arrived in 
Canada, prepared to announce the gospel to the heathen. 
Before the Franciscans, none had intercourse with the 
Aborogines of our land, except either in the character of 
traders, using every means to overreach, or in the garb of 
military adventurers. ''These sons of the forest, now fur 
the first time saw men entering their villages, whose word 
breathed peace and love; whose business was only to suffer, 
and to teach humility; whose sword was the cross, and 
who preached sobriety, good will, charity, and bright hopes 
beyond the grave. The privations of the wilderness, and 
rigors of the climate, were borne with fortitude; native 
languages were mastered, the dispositions and customs of 
a strange people were studied, and conformed to; and diffi- 



64 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YOUK. 

culti »s sufficient to appal the stoutest heart, were encoun- 
tered and overcome. These de voted men, and their suc- 
cessors, entered upon their labours, with >■ z< j al that knew 
no limit; and with a devoted ness that shrunk fiom no trial. 
They were successful in winning these strange men, to their 
stranger doctrines and faith. The establishment of .missions 
among the natives naturally led to the exploration of the 
country. And thus the pioneers of the cross became the 
first discoverers and historians of the whole interior of North 
America. They widely extended geographical know ledge, 
and did not overlook the importance, of providing the 
means of education, for the youth of the land. So impor- 
tant have their Relations become, that they may well be 
termed an elaborate history of the country. In proportion 
to their high value, is, at the same time their scarcity. 
Clark, History ..f Om.ndaga, Vol. I. p. 128 

Brgebeuf and his associates under the guidance of the 
Franciscan priest Dallion, a man no less distinguished for 
his illustrious birth, than for his piety, and religious zeal; 
landed in Quebec in 162o, the Jesuits met with a cool re- 
ception, on the part ot the inhabitant-; no one offered to 
give them a shelter, or t» supply them with provisions, and 
they were on the point of abandoning the enterprise. The 
Franciscans, after using much persuasion, obtained fiom 
the Governor, leave to receive the je nits into their estab- 
lishment. One Imlf of their convent garden, and farm, was 
generously surrcn lered t<> the new comers; and the two 
societies lived, and labored together, in uuiuter upted friend- 
ship, and harmony, for two years. 

The vows wh'ch the Jesuits took, the austerities which 
they practiced., then- rigid disci pi ne anil untiring zeal, rend- 
ered them peculiarly adapted (say- 0. H. Marshall, H s<j.,) 
t<> encounter and overcome the obstacles incident to mission- 
ary life in the savage wilds of Aifieika. There is much in 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 65 

the history of their efforts, which the heralds of a move 
spiritual faith might well admire ami emulate." (The 
learned and estimable writer, would he puzzled to show 
how, the heralds of any Protectant sect is. or can he, as 
spiritual as the heralds of the Reman Calholic Chmch.) 
Many of them were of high v biith, and entitled to princely 
fortunes, all of which, wi h every wo? dry prospect and ad- 
vantage, they laid on the altar of their faith, and sacrificed 
in the course of their missions." In 1624 the Jesuits set 
out for the Huron country, with Dallion, the Franciscan, 
over the same piinful and toilsome route, which T.e Caron 
had pursued, eleven years before. They had some difficulty 
in inducing the Hurons to give Father Broebeuf a seat in 
one of their canoes, as he was cor] \\h nt, and they fe- red 
his weight might overset it. They re-established the mis- 
sions which had been founded by the Franciscans. Father 
Dallion, of the noble house of the Counts DuLeid, stimu- 
lated by the desire of pro; abating his faith in remote !eg ; o: s, 
visited the Neuter Naion^; he set out the 18th of October, 
162d" Afer a perilous journey, through many villages of 
the Neuter Nation, he entered the country bordeiing on the 
Niagara River, and lying around the western extremity of 
Lake Ontario. Through many dangers and sufferings he 
tried to open a mission among the tribe of Neutral-." They 
dwelt near and on the Niagara River, He was at first 
well received, and being adopted by Soharissest, the chief 
of (he whole nation, took up his residence among them. 
He was, however, soon after robbed and brutally beaten, 
and returned to the Hurons. 

In 1629, the English captured Quebec, and the Catholic 
missionaries had to return to France. 

In 1632, when Canada was restored to France, the Jes- 
uits returned to their missions among the savages. Cham- 
plain had intended to aid and arm the Hurons, He died. 



68 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

His successor had not such extensive views. The Hurons 
were left without aid. But the Jesuits went to their spiri- 
tual relief. Broebeuf, Chaumont, and others started for 
the Huron Mission. Broebeuf narrates, in simple and 
touching terms, their great sufferings on the rout. Almost 
in the last extremity, they reach a Huron Village. Broe- 
beuf was recognized and most kindly received, a chapel was 
soon erected, the Mass said, and the Mission dedicated to 
St. Joseph. Around its altars an extensive mission soon 
flourished. Refore the end of the year 1636, six Jesuit 
priests were employed in different villages. 

Broebeuf and Chaumont resolved to visit the Neuter 
Nation. The Neuter Nation, which, before the Seneca 
conquests, occupied both sides of the Niagara River, and 
claimed the territory west of the Genesee, and west as far 
as the Eries, were estimated, in 1641, at twelve thousand 
souls. They were visited by Catholic priests, but no dis- 
tinct records of their labors have reached us. Their affec- 
tion or veneration for the dead induced them to treasure up 
the bones of the departed for ten or twelve years, when, at 
an appointed time, all repaired, to a fixed spot, a vant 
grave was made, the bones from every quarter, wrapped in 
furs, were brought, deposited together with religious rites, 
and a mound became the memorial. Some of these mounds 
exist around Buffalo. Many similar tumuli are found, of 
whose origin the Senecas disclaim all knowledge. They 
were conquered by the Iroquois, many killed, the rest led 
into captivity to the Seneca country beyond the Genesee 
River. Father Fremin found them there, in 1669, eighteen 
years after their capture. Many of them had become Cath- 
olics. 

After leaving Sainte Marie, Broebeuf and Chaumont, 
pursued a southerly course through the territories of the 
Hurons, until they reached their last village. Here they 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW .YORK. 67 

procured provisions and a guide for their journey, and pur* 
suing their way, slept, four nights, in the woods, before 
read liner the territories of the Neutral Nation. 

The first village they entered they named "All Saints* 
on their arrival at the residence of the principal chief, whose 
approval of their mission was necessary, they found him 
absent on a war expedition. His return was not expected 
Until spring-, and they were told by the remaining chiefs* 
that they must wait that event. 

The Jesuits eagerly embraced the opportunity, thus afford- 
ed of acquiring a knowledge of the language, character, and 
genius of the people. 

Suspicion was soon excited however, in the minds of the 
savages, which exposed them to a series of insults and in-= 
dignities, during their visit. They were accused of witch-- 
craft and of conspiracy with the neighboring Senecas "who 
" lived," says Broebeuf, "but a days journey from the easter- 
" most villages of the neutral nation." Their breviaries, 
iukhorns, and manuscripts, were considered as so many in- 
struments of sorcery, and their prayers as magical iucanta - 
tions. The chiefs withdrew their protection, and there seem- 
ed to be no alternative but to retrace their steps. In the 
course of their travels they visiaed 18 villages, but they tar- 
ried principally in ten, these contained 500 families and 
3,000 souls, to whom those Jesuits announced the Gospel* 

On the return to Sainte Marie, a deep fall of stiow arres- 
ted them in a village, beyond which it was impossible to 
proceed, What they at first considered a calamity, soon 
proved a providential occurrence. A female of the village 
received them into her hut, ministered to their wants, and 
substituted fi-li and vegetables, for the usual animal diet, 
during their observance of Lent. She also took great pains 
to learn them her language, articulating the words, syllable 
by syllable, as a teacher to a scholar. Notwithstanding the 



68 MISSIONS IN WESTERS NEW YORK. 

ridicule and jeers, heaped upon her by her own people, she 
continued these kind offices, until the Jesuits we«e enabled 
to construct a dictionary of the language, a work which 
Lalemand remarks, would be cheaply purchased, at the 
cost of many years' residence in the country, inasmuch as 
the savages are easy of access, to those who speak their 
language, all others being regarded as strangers. 

After undergoing incredible hardships they safety reached 
the Huron Mission, where they rejoined their brethren, who 
had almost despaired of their return. It is not certain how 
far they penetrated, it this time, towards the River Niagara. 
It appears from their journal that they acquired, while in 
this vicinity, an accurate knowledge of the configuration of 
the lakes which it connects, though no mention is made of 
the Cataract which constitutes so striking a featuere in its 
scenery. 

In 1623 Father Nicholas Veil, and brother Gabriel 
Sagard, the first historian of the Huron missions, started for 
the Huron missions; Sagard in hi? " Great journey to the 
Huron country" thus describes the life of the Franciscan 
Missionaries. '• We took our repas's on straw mats, a log of 
wood served us for a pillow at night, our cloaks, were our 
blankets, we had no other towel than corn husks, we had 
a few knives, but they were of little use, we had no bread to 
cut; and meat was so scarce, that we would pass, from six 
weeks to two mouths, without eating a mouthful. Our 
u>ual food was Sagnmite, made with water and corn m^al, 
some pumpkins, or beans were added, and a little parsely, 
or a kind of spice wood, with wild onions tr> give a better 
taste; our drink was from the stream. If, «?MUt the sugar 
maple was running in season, any of our pariy got sick, we 
would make an inscission in the tree, which then ozed out 
its sugary water, and this the sick man would use as a great 
reine iy. Unremittingly the good Franciscans employed 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 69 

every leisure hour, iti learning the Huron language, and in 
composing a Huron dictionary, hut during the long nights 
of winter, they had only the light of 'lie fire, or light fiom 
pine, or bark torches, which frequently had to he renewed, 
and which tilled their cabin with smoke. Father Nicholas Viel 
and' a ne -phyte were cruelly miirde ed two years after by 
some brutal savage Hurons, enemies of the faith. 

Such, with little variation, amidst great labours, was the 
life (if the missionaries, until in 1634 5, Father Broeheauf 
returned to the Huron mission. He brought with him from 
France many nrticfes of great use; but wli»ch caused the 
greatest wonder among the Indians; what most excited <heir 
admiration, was a clock. They called it the ''Captain of the 
day." "When it sti ikes," says Broebeuf. "they ciy out 
that it speaks; when they come to see us they ask ' How 
many times has " the Captain of the day" spoken since 
morning V They want to know what it eat*, and what it 
Sf/y.s-/" The devoted ness, the coinage, and the holy perse- 
verence of those missiona i"S were finally crowned with 
success; the religion of Christ triumphed. Sixteen \e.rs 
after Brokbeuf's arrival, the Indians weie conquered; but 
whether captives with the Iroquois or safe among the 
French, they remained f dthful. Even those wh-« had not 
been converted in Huronia, were, for the greater part, con- 
verted along the waters of Cayuga and Seneea Lakes. 
The "Relations," of 1648 say of the Huron Mission: 
" This mission of the Conception is the most fertile of 
all, both in the number and zeal of the christians; whose 
faith shows itself with great advantage, and whose sanctity 
is respected even by Infidels. Three of the principle 
captains, and some of the men, set an example by the 
holiness of their lives, which has more effect than our 
sermons. In a word the Faith of this church emits a 
fragrance of Christianity all over the countiy. 



1 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK-. 

The mission of St. Micbael, is well founded and is daily 
increasing, in spite of the opposition of Infidels, who always 
oppose the commencement of a Church. 

The mission of St Joseph, is still more crowded, but 3 
indeed it is longer founded. 

The mission of St 4 Ignatius, which is later than any of 
the preceding, has a fervor and innocence which astonishes 
the Infidels, and which we never expected to see, in so 
short a time, in the commencement of a church-. 

The faith has increased far beyond our expectations, in 
these four missions; so much so, that our chapels are too 
small for the number of the faithful on festival days, and 
our missionary is often obliged to say two masses on the 
Sunday, so that all can assist — still the church is filled, even 
to the coiner of the altars, and numbers of the faithful kneel 
outside, even during the winter rains of snow! 

The mission of Holy Mary, consists of twelve or thirteen 
villages and has but one Father to attend them, which he 
does with incessant labor, visiting each at stated times. 

We hope to be obliged to form another mission, within 
eight months, still further from here, among some villages 
too far for us, and which we shall name, the Mission of 
St. Mary Magdelane. 

We asked permission of the Pctun Nation to instruct 
them, and have sent there two of our Fathers, who have 
formed missions in two different nations, of which their 
country is composed ; the one is called the Wolf Nation, 
where we have formed the mission of St. John; the other 1* 
called the Stag Nation, among which we have formed the 
mission of St. Mathiaftt 

There is, without doubt, a great deal to sufTer in all these 
missions, from hunger, as well as from the inclemency of 
the seasons; from cold and heat^ from fatigue in travel ing: 
and from the continual danger of being surrounded by the 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK, ^l 

Iroquoi*, taken captive, and made suffer a thousand deaths, 
before you die once. 

But after all, all these evils are easier to support, than it 
is to practice the council of the Apostle, to become •' all to 
all," in order to gain souls to Jesus Christ. Excessive pa^ 
tience is necessary, in order to endure thousands of insults. 
Invincible courage to overcome everything-; a humility, 
which counts itself to have done nothings when it has done 
all; and a longanimity which waits, with patience, the mo- 
ments of Divine Providence, in fine an entire conformity to 
His most holy will, that He may one day reward our labors 
of ten or twenty years. It is on this foundation that we 
must build these churches, and establish the faith in these 
countries; this it is what God requires of us. 

CHAPTERVIL. 

HOST OF MARTYRS. 

Almost incredible, and most affecting, are the simple 
details of the labors and sufferings of the Franciscan and 
Jesuit priests. Chaumont compiled his Indian Grammar 
on the frozen earth; Broebeuf, paralyzed by a fall, wiih 
Ins collar-bone broken, crept on his hands and knees along 
the frozen ground, and slept unsheltered on the snow! 
The work of God advanced rapidly, conversions were 
numerous. In 1644, Fathers Bhoebeuf, Garrow, and 
CharSonel became permanent residents at the stations of 
the Conception-, St. Joseph's, and St. Michael's. Through 
aid given the Iroquois by the Dutch, in supplies of firearms, 
these pagan savages conquered the HuronSjaild made many 
martyrs. The " Relation,'* from the writings of eye- 
witnesses, as translated by 0. H. Marshall, Esq., is too 
thrilling, too edifying, not to find place here: 

*'In this region, which the Jesuits paint as so delightful* 
E 



72 MISSIONS IN WESTERN Mlf YORK. 

chosen by the Hurons for their homes, and occupied by 
them tor so long a period, that their traditions fixed no era 
for their arrival, the missionaries were accustomed to assem- 
ble thrice in the year, to rehearse their toils and their 
triumphs, to confess one another, and to devise plans for 
the more rapid diffusion of the faith tkey tawght. And 
here, year after year, they continued one uniform round of 
life, adhering to their simple and austere habits, secluded 
from the world, and devoted to their missions. 

u By night, a bundle of faggots sepved them for a pillow, 
and their mantles formed their only covering. Their meals 
were taken on the ground, while reclining on mats of rushes, 
or seated on billets of wood. The earth, or their knees, 
furnished a table, and leaves of Indian corn were their only 
napkins. Knives they had, but they were useless; for there 
was no bread to cut, and meat was so rare, that if, by 
chance, the Indians gave them a portion of their game, k was 
carefully laid aside and kept tor Easter. Their ordinary 
food consisted of the Indian sagamite, or corn pounded 
between stones, or in a wooden mortar, and boiled in water. 
Into this was thrown, to give it relish, some sweet majoram, 
purslain, or balm, and a kind of wild onion which they 
found in the woods. Their oidy drink was water from the 
brook, or the sap, which they caught from the maple in 
their trough of bark. Wild grapes, bruised and pressed 
in a cloth, over a bark vessel, furnished them wine for the 
mass, or for medicinal purposes. 

'* While they were thus pursuing their peaceful labors, 
the Iroquois made an incursion upon one of the villages, 
comprised within the Huron Mission, and called St. Joseph. 
Father Anthony Daniel, one of the earliest pioneers to 
this region, having labored in it fourteen years, had just 
finished mass, and his neophytes were still engaged in their 
devotions, when the cry 'To Arms' was heard. 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK;. 73 

•* It was the morning of the fouth of July, 1648. . The 
enemy had approached the village under cover of the night, 
and thus effected a surprise. The greatest panic and con- 
fusion prevailed, and the terror-stricken EJAirons flocked 
around the Father as their protector. He animated them, 
by his presence, where the danger was most imminent, and 
encouraged them to defend their village. But it was of no 
avail. The dreaded name of the Iroquois, was ever sufficient 
to intimidate a Huron. (The Dutch from New York, as 
before remarked, had supplied the Iroquois with firearms.) 
They' abandoned all defence and sought for baptism at the 
hands of the Jesuit, as a preparation for the certain death 
that awaited them. But the number was too large, and the 
danger too imminent, to take them singly, and dipping his 
handkerchief in water, he performed the rite upon the whole 
crowd by aspersion, In the meantime the enemy took 
possession of the place, and those who were able to flee, 
escaped to the neighboring villages. Not so the Father, 
Forgetful of himself, he eagerly sought out the aged, infirm ? 
and sick, to prepare them for their fate. The whole village 
was soon in conflagration, and none were spared in the 
general massacre. Daniel then repaired to the chapel, 
which was already crowded with Hurons. Some he bap- 
tized, others he confessed and absolved, and upon all he 
bestowed appropriate words of consolation. 4 My broth- 
ers,' he exclaimed, ' to-day we shall meet in Paradise.' The 
enemy soon learned their place of refuge, and sending forth 
a shrill war-whoop, rushed in a body to the church. The 
Father, alone and undismayed, advanced to meet them. 
The savages, astonished at his temerity, and awed by his 
appearance, recoiled for a moment as he approached. Soon 
recovering from their surprise, but keeping at a distance, 
they pierced him with their arrows, aud shot him in the 
heart with an arquebuse; he fell, the first Jesuit martyr of 



74 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

the Huron Mission. His body, stripped and dishonored by 
his murderers, became a holocaust consumed in the fires <>f 
the burning church. A part of the Hurons, who succeeded 
in escaping found refuse among; their brethren, in the 
neighboring village of Sairtte Marie, About seven hundred, 
consisting principally of women and children, were taken 
captives by the Iroquois, and carried home to their country, 
to undergo the torture, or supply the waste of disease and 
war, by adoption into their tribes. The winter passed away 
among the Hurons without further disturbance, and the 
mission continued to flourish until the next year. On the 
evening of the 16th day of March, 1649, about two thousand 
Iroquois, well supplied with firearms procured from the 
Dutch at Albany, arrived at the frontier settlement of the 
Huronsj and silently surrounded the village called by the 
French St. Ignace. This place, in additional to the natural 
strength of its position, was fortified with palisades fifteen 
w sixteen feet high, and surrounded by a deep ditch. The 
•enemy reconnoitred its situation, and at break of day, while 
the Hurons were wrappad in profound sleep, effected an 
an trance, before any resistance could be made. Only ten 
Iroquois were slain, and all but three of the Hurons, num- 
bering more than four hundred souls, were either immedi- 
ately massacred, or reserved for the more terrible torture. 
The three that escaped, nearly naked, made their way over 
the snow to a neighboring village, to which they cariied the 
alarm. 

The Iroquois pursuing their victory, appeared before sun- 
rise in front of the adjacent village of St. Louis, also fortified 
with palisades. The women and children escaped on hear- 
ing the approach of the enemy, leaving about 80 warriors 
to defend the place. They repulsed with vigour the nVt 
and second assault, killing and wounding a large number of 
the assailants. But they were finally overpowered by 
numbers. 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 75 

The Iroquois having cut a passage through the palisades, 
were enabled to enter, and the fire and smoke from the 
consuming village, soon revealed to the anxious missionaries 
at Sainte Marie, about a league distant, that the work of 
destruction had commenced. The Iroquois raged, like 
incarnate fiends, among the consuming dwellings. The old 
men and children, the sick, the infirm, and the wounded, 
were alike thrown into the devouring flames, as useless in- 
cumbrances upon their emptors. Two Hurons escaped to 
Sainte Marie and told the sad particulars. At the time of 
the attack, the Jesuits Brokbeuf and Lalemand, were re- 
siding in the village. They had charge of the five contigous 
settlements, which were all comprised under the name of 
St. Ignace, and formed one of the eleven Huron missions, 
then carried on by the Jesuits. The Huron neophites be- 
sought the Fathers to flee, and it would be easy for them to 
have done so, but they considered the few moments of that 
terrible conflict, as the most precious of their existence, and 
laboured incessantly during the heat of the combat, for 
what they deemed the welfare of their chosen flock. One 
stationed himself at the point, where the enemy had made 
a break in the palisades, baptizing the converts, and giving 
absolution to the neophites. Both encouraged the Christian 
Hurons to suffer death, under the influence of those senti- 
ments with which their teachings had inspired them. 

The Iroquois captured and secured the two Fathers, with 
many Huron prisoners, and returned to St. Ignace. In the 
evening their scouts reconnoitred Sainte Marie for the pur- 
pose of an attack next morning. The Hurons in the latter 
village, remained all night under arms, in momentary ex- 
pectation of an assault, bit it passed away in profound 
silence. On the 19th, a sudden panic seized the enemy, 
and disregarding the remonstrances of their chiefs, they 
commenced a rapid and disorderly retreat. 



76 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW - YORK. 

Loading their captives like beasts of burden, tbey corii- 
pelled them to carry the spoils which they secured. Those 
not needed for the purpose were put to death, with excru- 
ciating torture. Some were bound to stakes driven w 7 ithin 
the consuming dwellings, and the captors regaled their ears 
with the cries, uttered by their dying victims. Parents and 
children were tortured side by side, a spectacle at which it 
would seem that even cruelty itself, would have revolted. 
When it was ascertained that the Iroquois had retreated, a 
detachment of seven hundred Hurons Were sent in pursuit, 
but the scarcity of provisions, and their fear of the fire arms 
of the enemv, induced them soon to abandon the chase. 
^They found on their way, many of the captives, who, 
not being strong enough to keep pace with the Iroquois* had 
been knocked on the head, or half burned at the stake* 
When the Jesuit Ra&neneau and his companions at Sainte 
Marie, had full assurance of the departure of the enemy, 
they searched for the remains of BRaEEE!^ and Lalemand, 
of whose death they had been informed. Their eyes rested 
on a spectacle of horror, and they heard a tale of cruelty, 
of which history scarcely affords a parallel. 

As soon as the Jesuits had been captured, they were 
stripped, their nails were torn out, and on entering the 
village of St. Ignace, they were compelled to run the 
gauntlet. Their bodies were covered with bruises, inflicted 
by the clubs of their captors. 

Broebuef sunk under the weight of their blows, but his 
spirit was unsubdued. The savages now resorted to every 
species of cruelty to torture their victims. They cut off 
the hands of one of the Fathers, and pierced those of the 
others with sharp awls and pointed irons. They applied 
to their arm-pits and loin«, red hot hatchets, with which 
they also formed necklaces, to hang around them in such a 
manner, that every movement of their bodies would cause 



MISSIONS FN WESTERN NEW YORK, 77 

excruciating pain. Whether they leaned backwards of 
forwards, the red hot iron would enter the flesh. They 
bound bark girdles around their persons, filled with pitch, 
which, being set on fire, roasted the whole surface of their 
bodies. In the height of these agonies, Father Lalemand, 
of gentler mould than his companion, his strength scarcely 
equal to his will, joining kis hands from time to time, sup- 
plicated heaven for aid. 

Father Broebeuf endured like a rock. Insensible to 
torture, without a groan, he maintained unbroken silence 
for a long time, to the great astonishment of his tormentors. 
At length he began to speak, and to preach to the Iroquois 
and to his companions in misery. Indignant at his zeal, 
the captors mutilated his mouth, and cut off his nose, but he 
continued, as far as he was able, to encourage those around 
him. In derision of the baptism, which the priests bad admin- 
istered so freely, in the hottest of the conflict, these fiends in 
human guise, poured boiling water over their naked persons. 
"We baptize you," said they, "that you may be happy in 
heaven for no one can be saved unless baptised ;" others said, 
" What we thus do, is in friendship, since we w T ill be the 
cause of your highest happiness in Heaven. Thank us for 
our kindness, for the more you suffer, the more your God 
will recompense you." 

They tore out the eyes of Lalemand and placed burning 
coals in their sockets. Both did not suffer at the same time. 
Broebeuf was undergoing the severest of his torments for 
nearly three hours, of the same day he was captured and 
expired about four o'clock in the afternoon. Lalemand suf- 
fered, from six in the evening until nine the next morning. 

While they were yet alive, pieces of flesh were cut from 
their bodies, broiled on coals, and devoured in their presence. 
Into the wounds thus made, red hot axes were repeatedly 
thrust. To complete the tragedy, their hearts were torn 



Y» 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 



out, and the inhuman barbarians drank their blood gushing 
warm from its source. 

It appeared from the examination of their remains, that 
Broebeuf had been scalped, that his feet were cut off, and 
his jaw split open, with an axe. 

Lalbmanr had a gash over his left ear, which had laid 
bare his brain. There was no part of his body which had 
not been huvnt, while he was yet living. Their tongues 
had been destroyed by thrusting into their mouths at various 
times firebrands and bark torches. Thus perished these de- 
voted Jesuits. Lalemand at the age of 39, having labored 
six months, among the Huron-; and Broebeuf at the age 
of 56, after a residence of eighteen years in the same mission. 

"But let us leave these objects of horror, and these mon- 
sters of cruelty, since, in one day, all their victims were 
robed in the glory of immortality; since, also, the greater 
their torments, the richer their crown, and since they now 
live in the repose of the saints, which they will enjoy for 
eternity. 

"On Sunday, the 21st of March* we buried these 
precious relics, with so much consolation from the tender 
sentiments of those who assisted at the ceremony, I think 
that not one present did not desire death; not one who 
feared the thought of it, and who would not have believed 
himself happy to be at once in a place where God would 
give him the grace to sacrifice his blood and life in a similar 
manner. Not one of us can make up our minds to pray 
for them, as though they needed our prayer; but our minds 
rise continually to heaven, where we believe their souls are. 
I pray God that it is so, and that he will accomplish hi* 
holy will iii us, even unto death, as he has done with 
them." "Relations, 1649," p. 15. 

The Huron country was now desolated. The Nation de- 
spaired of recovering from the disastrous effects of these war- 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 



79 



like incursions, and in less than eight days, accompanied by 
the reinajnihgf Jesuits, they abandoned their homes, and bid 
fa re we 1 1 forever, to their ancient domains. The Lake, which 
bears their name, still washes the shores they so long inhab- 
ited, an abiding memorial of the race; but, scattered by the 
exterminating hand of the Iroquois, they from thenceforth 
ceased to exist as a nation, (Not far from their old grounds, 
through Upper Canada, and Michigan, many villages of 
faithful christian Hurons still exist,) and wandered in fugi- 
tive hands, seeking shelter in remote Islands and secluded 
and inaccessible retreats. A few, under the auspices of Fa- 
ther Ragneneau, settled in the Island of Orleans near Que- 
bec, and even th^re deemed themselves scarcely safe under 
French protection. Others escaped to the Islands of Lake 
Huron, from whence they subsequently joined their brethern 
near Quebec. Some went Smith of Lake Erie and buried 
themselves in the forests of Pennsylvania and we find them 
at a later day in the vicinity of Sandusky under the name 
<5f Wyandots. 

The greater part however found the death from which 
they fled, and more perished by famine and disease, than 
by the hand of the enemy. 

The prisoners were, for the most part, adopted by the 
Iroquois, and, subsequent to that period, settlements were 
found among the latter, composed almost entirely of Huron 
captives, and which wi.l be more fully noticed, when treating* 
of the Jesuit missions among that people. The Iroquois en- 
gaged in this foray, were principally Senecas. Father 
Lemoyne in his mission to that tribe five years afterwards 
found the testament of Broebeuf in their possession, which 
he preserved as a, precious relic of the martyr.^ 0. H. 



80 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

MISSIONS JN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

The holy Providence of God displayed itself, in a won- 
derful manner, by making the cruelty of the Iroquois against 
the Huron*, a source of many noble virtues, producing 
rich crops of generous martyrs for heaven; whilst it also 
sent the captive Hurous to be the nucleus of Christianitv, 
among their conquerors. The five nations, among whom 
the Jesuits labored, on the south side of Lake Oniaiio and 
Eri'% have long had the nick-name of Iroquois, from the 
word "Hiro," I have said it, (dixi,) with which they end 
every discourse, and the exclamation, "Koue," denoting 
joy or sadness, according to the manner in which it is 
pronounced. Charlevois, says that their right name is 
*■ Agonnonsionnis," (Mikers of Cabins.) Nor was Huron 
more Jian the nuk-name for that people. When the 
French saw Lhem, with their cropped, and bristling hair, 
they cried out in French, ''Quelles Hures," (what wild boar 
heads,) hence Huron. 

The Iroquois Confederation was, by them, compared to 
a Long House, the eastern door of which opened on the 
Hudson, guarded by the Mohawks, the western on Lake 
Erie guarded by the Senecas. The council fires of the 
Seneeas burned, for a l>>ng time, within what is now the 
limits of Buffalo ciiy. 

The Recollect Franciscan, Father Willtam Poulain, was 
a prisoner in the hands of the Indians, in 1621, and, in his 
suffering, consoled himself, by instructing in ihe faith some 
of the Iroquois prisoners. When the Jesuits came to the 
aid of the Franciscans, it was resolved, that some priests 
from the Huron missions should cross the river, and found 
a mission among the Senecas. Various causes retarded 



MTSSlGNS IN WRStERN SEW YORK. 81 

llie mission. Father Joques, and other missionaries, who 
ba>l just planted the Cross in Michigan, set out for Q lebec, 
they were captured by the Iroqfiioi* Joques might have 
fted, but "could a minister of Christ abandon the wound- 
ed and the dying?" Joojjes. after stooping to baptise a 
'catechumen in his canoe, surrendered himself up, and join- 
ed the captives. The savages rej need at taking so imp >r- 
tant a prisoner. They led their captives towards the valley 
of the Mohawk. The wearied prisoners hi 1, sever il tim^s, 
to run the gauntlet; most painful were the wounds and 
bruises they received. Toiture soon began. The brave 
Frenchman Cautuke had slain a chief, in the struggle at 
the capture; he was strippe'd, beaten, and mangled: and 
Father Joques, who consoled and strengthened in faith, the 
mangled victim, was himself violently attacked, and beaten 
until he fell senseless; they rushed on him like wolves, and 
not content with blows, tore out his nails, and gnawed his 
fingers to the very bone. Terrible were the tortures which 
Joques and Rene endured on their route to the River 
Mohawk. "God alone," writes Joques, "for whose love 
and glory it is sweet and glorious to suffer, can tell what 
cruelties they then perpetrated on me." 0. H. Marshall, 
Esq., in his lecture to the New York Historical Societv, 
says: ''In 1642, Father Joques, an I Rene Goupil were 
tortured by the Iroquois, at different points along the Mohawk 
River: one of tha vil!ag3 scenes of torture, was at Fort 
Plain; another at East Canadi Creek, At length, Rene 
was killed, and thus the soil of New York drank the blood 
of the first martyr who sacrificed his life in the New World, 
in the cause of the Jesuit Missions." Who will give us, in 
popular form, and in full detail, the touching incidents of 
the devoted zeal, the patient, m< j ek, heroic sufferings of 
these and other early martyr priests and Christians, on the 
virgin soil of America? It would prove that truth is 



82 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

Stranger than fiction. No romance could create the thrill- 
ing interest which true, sublime, heroic virtue, in scenes 
like these, would excite. Another Wiseman might here, 
in true history, write, with all the charms of Fabiola, 
historic truth, ** in thoughts that breathe, and words that 
burn." It seems that but one has attempted this labor of 
love, and he was a Protestant minister, the Rev. W. I. Kipp, 
M. A., now Protestant Bishop of California, in his "Earlv 
Jesuit Missions," which are simply a translation of a few of 
the most interesting letters of the early Jesuit missionaries. 

Though abridging so closely, as to lose some of the charm 
and unction of the narratives, it may appear that these hur- 
ried details, have al hired this history from the main object, 
by flowers of sweetest fragrance, blooming with unearthly 
charms, amidst thorns of direst suffering. Yet even this 
wandering will lead back, whilst affording some bright 
vistas into the past, present and future of the region to 
be explored. Suffice it heie to say, that the devoted- 
ness of these Apostles of a new world, so well rivalled the 
devoted heroism of the first Apostles, that the Protestant 
minister above alluded to, speaks of them in these Words: 

''There is* no page of our country's history, more touch- 
ing and romantic than that, which records the labors, and 
sufferings, of the Jesuit Missionaries. In these western wilds 
they were the earliest pioneers of civilization and faith. The 
wild hunter or the adventurous traveller, who, penetrating 
the forests, came to new and strange tribes, often found that 
years before, the disciples of Loyola had preceded him in 
that wilderness, Traditions of the "Black robes" still 
lingered among the Indians. On some moss-grown tree, 
they pointed out the traces of their work, and in wonder 
deciphered, carved, side by side on its trunk, the emblem 
of our salvation, and the lilies of the Bourbons. Amid the 
snows, of Hudson's Bay— among the woody islands, and 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 83 

beautiful inlets of the St. Lawrence, by the council fires of 
the Hurons, and the Algonquinee; at the sources of the 
Mississippi, where, first of the white men, their eyes 
looked upon the Falls of St. Anthony, and then traced 
down, the course of the bounding river, as it rushed onward 
to earn its title of '* Father of Waters" — on the vast 
prairies of Illinios, and Missouri; — among the blue hills, 
which hem in the salubrious dwellings of the Cherokees, 
and in the thick canebrakes of Louisiana — 3verywhere, 
were found the members of the " Society of Jesus." Mar- 

QUEITE, JOLIET. BrOEBEUF, JoQURS, LaLEMAND, RaSLES, 

Marsst, are the names which the West should ever hold in 
remembrance. 

" But it was only by suffering and trial, that these early- 
laborers won their triumphs,, Many of them too were men 
who had stood high in camps and courts, and could con- 
trast their desolate state, in the solitary wigwam, with the 
refinement and affluence, which had waited on their early 
years. But now ail these were gone. Home — the love 
of kindred — the golden ties of relationship — all were to be 
forgotten, by these stem and high- wrought men, and they 
were often to go forth into the wilderness, without an ad- 
viser on their way, save their God. 

Through long and sorrowful years they were obliged to 
"Sow in tears" before they could " reap in joy." Every 
self-denial gathered around them, which could wear upon 
the spirit, and cause the heart to fail; Mighty fbtests were 
to be threaded on foot, and the great lakes of the West, 
passed in the feeble bark canoe. Hunger and cold, and 
disease, were to be encountered, until nothing but the burn- 
ing zeal within, could keep alive the wasted and sinking 
frame. But worse than all w ere those spiritual evils, which 
forced them to weep and pray in darkness. Thev had to en- 
dura contradiction from those they came to save, who often, 



84 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

after listening for months with apparent interest, so thafc 
the Jesuit began to hope they would soon be numbered with 
their eon verts, suddenly quitted him, with cold and derisive 
words, and turned again to the superstitions of their tribe.. 

M ost of the in,, too, were martyrs to their faith. It will be 
noticed in reading this volume, how few of their number 
u died the common death of all men," or slept at last in 
the grourr Is which their Church had consecrated. Some, 
like Joques, and Du Poisson and Suuel; sunk beneath 
the blows of 'the infuriated savages, and their holies were 
thrown out, to feed the vulture, whose sh-iek, as he flapped 
his wings above them, had been their only requiem. Others 
like Broeb uf and L\leman t d and Ss^vt, died at the stake, 
and their ashes "flew, no marble tells us whither," while 
the dusky sons o't the forest stood around, and mingled 
their wild yells of triumph, with the martyrs' dying prayers. 
Others again, like the aged Marquette, sinking beneath 
years of toil, fell asleep in the wilderness, and their sorrow- 
ing companions, dug their graves in the green turf where, 
for many years, the rude forest ranger stopped to invoke 
their names, and bow in prayer before the cross which 
marked the *«pot. 

But did these sufferings stop the progress of the Jesuits? 
The sons of Loyola never retreated. The mission they 
founded in a tribe, ended only with the extinction of the 
tribe itself. Their lives were made up of fearless devoied- 
ness and heroic self sacrifice. Others, whilst sorrowing for 
the dead, pressed forward at once to occupy their places, 
and if needs be, share their fate. "Nothing" — wrote 
Father le Petit after describing the martyrdom of two of 
his brethern — " nothing has happened to these two excel- 
lent missionaries, for which they were not prepared, when 
they devoted themselves to the Indian missions." If the 
flesh trembled, the spirit seemed never to falter. Each 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 85 

one indeed felt that he was u baptized for the dead," and 
that his own blood, poured out in the might/ forests of the 
West, would being down perhaps greater blessings, on those 
for whom he died, than he could win for them by the 
labors of a life. He realized that he was " appointed unto 
death." " Ibo et non redibo," " I will go, but will not 
come back" were the prophetic words of Father Joques, 
when, after previous most horrible torture, he for the 
last time, departed to the Mohawks. When Lalemand 
was bound to the stake, and for seventeen hours his 
excruciating agonies were prolonged, his words -of encour- 
agement to his companions wee, "Brothers! we are made 
a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.' 
When Marquette was setting out, for the sources of the 
Mississippi, and the friendly Indians who had known him, 
wished to turn him from his purpose by declaring " Those 
distaut nations never spare the strangers," the calm reply 
of the missionary was, "I shall gladly lay down my life 
for the salvation of souls." And then, the led sons of the 
wilderness bowed wish him in prayer, and before the simple 
cross of cedar, and among the stately groves of elm , and 
maple which line the St. Lawrence, them rose that old 
chant, which the aged man had been accustomed to bear, in . 
the distant Cathedrals of his own land— 

" Wxilla Regis prodeunt ; 
Jfulget Crucis mysteriu r&." 

"But how little is known of all th^se men ! The history 
of their bravery and sufferings, touching as it is, has been 
comparatively neglected." Rev. W. I. Kipp, Early Jesuit 
Missions, 

In March, 1649, the Iroquois, chiefly Senecas and Onon- 
dagas, destroyed the Huron Missions, and brought many 
Huron captives back with them. Five years after, the 
Jesuit, LeMotne, found the martyred Broebeuf's New 



86 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

Testament and the prayer-book of Gaknier in the hands of 
those captive Hurons. 

"On the 20th August, 1653, a party of Mohawks, lying 
in ambush near Quebec, captured the Jesuit, Father Joseph 
Poncet, and another Frenchman, and hurried them away 
to the Mohawk country, to a place at or near the more re- 
cent site of Fort Hunter. They were compelled to sing for 
the amusement of their captors. Father .Poncet chanted 
the Litanies of the Holy Virgin, the Veni Creator, and oth- 
er hymns of the Church. 

lk Whilst we were crossing the river of the L)utch," says 
he, "I confessed my companion, who wished to prepare for 
death, ms we had perceived forty or fifty Iroquois, waiting for 
us on the other side, with clubs in their hands. They strip- 
ped us nearly naked, and compelled us to pass through two 
rows of the savages, (to run the gauntlet.) They struck me 
several blows with their sticks upon the hack; and, as I in- 
creased my pace, one of them seized me by "the arm, which 
he extended, in order to strike me a blow with a short hea- 
vy club, which he held in his hand. I surrendered my 
arm, thinking he was about to break, and beat to pieces, the 
hone between the elbow and wrist. But the blow fell upon 
the joint, and I escaped with a bruise which disappeared in 
time. 

"As soon as I reached the village, they compelled me to 
ascend a scaffold, elevated about five feet, in the middle of 
the public place. My companion soon after arrived, bear- 
ing the marks of the blows he had received. I saw, among 
other wounds, a cruel and painful cut across his breast." 

The details of the torture that was inflicted upon Father 
Poncst and his companion must be passed over. It contin- 
ued for several days, when the latter was condemned to the 
stake and burnt. Poncet was spared by adoption, and, soon 
after, succeeded in inducing his new relatives, to carry him 
to the Dutch settlement at Fort Orange, (Albany.) 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. b / 

In 1654, an embassy of fifty Onondaga* appeared before 
Quebec. Tbey, impelled by some unseen power, demanded 
peace, asked for missionaries, and invited them to visit their 
cantons, and establish their missions within their borders* 
The opportunity was eagerly embraced, and on the 2d day 
of July, 1654, Father Simon LeMoyne departed from Que- 
bec for the country of the Onondagas, by a route which the 
fear of the Iroquois, had hitherto prevented the French from 
pursuing. He ascended the St. Lawrence into Lnke Onta- 
rio, coasted along its southern shore, and landed at a con- 
venient point, from whence he went overland to the princi- 
pal village of the Onoudagas. They received him with 
marked attention, and permitted him to commence his min- 
isterial labors. 

The readers of this history will surely prefer the very 
words of the holy missionary, written about two hundred 
and eight years ago, and translated from the missionary 
letters : 

'•On the second day of the mouth of July, 1654, the fes- 
tival of the Visitation of the Most Holy Virgin, always 
friendly to our undertakings, Father LeMoyne departed 
from Quebec on a voyage to the Iroquois and Onondagas. He 
passed Three Rivers, and from thence by Montreal, where 
a young man of good courage, and an old inhabitant, join- 
ed him, with much piety, 

"On the first day of the month of August, some Iroquois 
fishermen having perceived us from a distance, got together 
to receive us. One of them runs towards us, advancing: a 
half a league to communicate the earliest news, and the 
state of the country. It is a Huron prisoner, and a good 
Christian, whom I formerly instructed during n winter that 
I passed among the savages. This poor lad could not be-* 
lie\ e that it was I, whom he never hoped to see again. We 
disembarked at a little village of Fishermen. Th^v crowd 



ba MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

to see who might carry our baggage. They are apparent- 
ly Huron squaws, and for the most part Christian women, 
formerly rich and at their ease, whom captivity has reduced 
to servitude. They requested me to pray to God, and I 
had the consolation to hear their confessions, and that of 
Hostagehtak, our ancient host of the Petun Nation. His 
sentiments and devotion drew tears from my eyes. He is 
the fruit o( the labors of Father Charles Garnier, that ho- 
ly missionary, . whose death has been so precious before 
God. The second day of August, we walked from twelve 
to fifteen leagues through the woods. We camp wherever 
the day-close finds us. 

"The 3d. — At noon we were on the bank of a river, one 
hundred or one hundred and twenty paces wide, beyond 
which there was a hamlet of fishermen. An Iroquois whom 
I, at one time, had treated kindly at Montreal, put me across 
in his canoe, and through respect, carried me on his shoul- 
ders, being unwilling to suffer me to wet my feet. Every 
one received me with joy, and these poor people enriched 
me from their poverty. I was conducted to another vil- 
lage, a league distant, where there was a young man of 
consideration, who made a feast for me, because [ bore his 
father's name, Ondessouk. The chiefs came to harrangue 
us. one after the other. I baptized little skeletons, (sick 
children,} who awaited perhaps only this drop of .the pre- 
cious blood of Jesus Christ. 

" The 4th. — They ask me why we are dressed jri black, 
and I take occasiou to speak to them of our mysteries. 
They listened with great attention. They bring me a little 
moribund whom I call Dominick. The time is passed when 
they used to hide the little innocents from us. They took 
me for a great Medicine-man, though I hai no other reme- 
dy for the sick but a pinch ©f sugar. We pursued our 
route, in the middle of which wa found our dinner waiting 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 8® 

for us. The nephew of the first chief of the country, who. 
is to lodge me in his cabin, is. deputed by his uncle to escort 
us, bringing us every delicacy that tUe season could afford, 
especially new corn bread, and ears, (of corn,) which wo 
had roasted at the fire-. We slept again that night by the 
beautiful light of the stars. 

The 6th. I was called to divers quarters to. ad mini- ter 
my medicine; to- weakly and hect : c little things. I baptised 
some of them. [ confessed seme of our old Huron Chris- 
tian-, and found God everywhere, and that He is pleased to 
work in hearts where faith reigns. He- builds himself a 
temple there, where- He is adored in spirit and in truth. He 
He blessed for ever!. 

At night our host draws me aside, and tells me, very 
affectionately,, that he- always loved ns, that finally his heajt, 
was satisfied, seeing- all the- tribes of his nation demanded 
nothing but peace; that the Seneeas had recently come to. 
exhort them, to manage this matter well for peace, and that 
in this view, lie had made splendid presents;, that the Cay- 
uga had brought three belts, for that purpose: and that the 
Oneidas were glad to get rid of such bad affairs, through 
his means, and that he desired nothing but peace; that the 
Mohawk would,, no doubt, follow the others, and thus, I 
might take courage, since- 1 bore with me the happiness ol 
the whole land. 

7th. A good, Christian named Terese, a Huron, captive, wish- 
ing to pour out IvdY soul 10 me, away from noise and tumult. 
invited me- to visit Iter in a field cabin, wh,ere- she lived. My 
(rod ! What sweet consolation, to witness so much faith, in 
savage hearts, in captivity, and without other assistance 
than that of heaven, God raises up Apostles everywhere. 
This good Christian woman had with bei: v a young captive 
of the Neutral Nation, whom she loved as her own daughter. 
&he had so well, instructed her, in the mysteries of the faith. 



SO MISSIONS Itf WESTERS >~EW 1'OKK. 

and in sentiments of piety, in the prayers they mate in 
this holy solitude, that I was much surprised. "Eli! sister,' 
I asked, tl why did you not baptize her, since she has the 
1" litb, like you ; and she is Christ/an in her morals, and she 
wishes to die n Christian \* " Alas, brother," this happy 
captive replied, " I did not think it was allowed me to bap- 
tise, except in danger of death. Baptise her now yourself, 
since you consider her worthy, and give her toy name." 
This was the first adult baptism at Onondaga \ we are in- 
debted for it to the piety of a Huron captive. 

*' m 4s : '- ■ . * & ■ * * % * 

On the 10th day of August, the deputies of the three 
neighboring nations having arrived, after the usual summons 
of the chiefs, that all should assemble in Ondessonk's cabin j 
1 opened the proceedings by public prayer, which I said on 
my knees, and in a loud voice, all in the Huron tongue, I 
invoked the great master of heaven and earth to inspire u* 
with what should be for His glory, and our good. 1 cursed 
till the demons of Hel), who are spirits of division; 1 prayed 
the Guardian Angels of the whole country, to touch the 
hearts of those who heard me, when my words should strike 
their ear. 

I greatly astonished them, when they heard me naming 
all by nations, by tribes, by families, and each particular 
individual of any note; and all by aid of my manuscript, 
which was a matter as wonderful, as it was new to them. 
At each present they heaved a powerful ejaculation from 
the bottom of the chest, in testimony of their joy. I was 
full two hours making my whole speech, talking like a chief* 
and walking about like an actor over a stage, as is their 
custom. 

After that they grouped together apart in nations and 
tribes, calling to them a Mohawk , who by good luck, was 
there. They consulted together for the space of two hours 



MISSIONS l» WESTERN NEW YORK. 91 

longer. Finally they called me among them, and seated 
rne in an honorable place. 

The Chief.who is the tongue of the country, repeated faith- 
fully, as orator, the substance of all my words. Then all set 
to singing in token of their gratification; I was told to pray 
God on my side, which I did very willingly. After these 
songs he spoke to me in the name of his nation. 1. Ha 
thanked Onnontio for his good disposition towards them; 
b3 brought forward, for this purpose, two large belts of 
Wampum. 2. He thanked us, in the name of the Mohawk 
Iroquois, for having given their lives to five of their allies of 
the Mohegan nation. Two other belts for that. 3. He 
thanked us, in the name of the Seneca Iroquois, for having 
drawn five of their tribe, out of the fire, two more bells; 
ejaculations, from the whole assembly, follow each present. 

In concluding these remarks, the Onondaga Chief took 
up the word. Listen, Oxdessonk, said he to me; five entire 
nations speak to thee through my mouth ; my breast contains 
the sentiments of the Iroquois Nations; and my tongue', 
responds faithfully to my breast. Thou wilt tell Ownontio, 
the Governor of Canada, four things, the sum of ail our 
councils. 

1. We are willing to acknowledge Him of whom thou 
hast spoken, who is the Master of our lives, who is as yet 
unknown to us. 

2. Cur council tree is this clay planted at Onondaga, 
(meaning that there would be, henceforth, the place of their 
meetings, and of their negotiations for peace.) 

3. We conjure you to select, on the banks of our great 
lake, an advantageous site, for a French settlement. Fix 
yourself in the heart of the country, since you ought to 
possess our 1 ' hearts. There we shall go for instruction, and 
from that point -jm will be able to spread yourself abroad 



; 32 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NSW f ORK. 

in every direction. Be nnto us careful as Fathers, and we 
■sLall he unto you, submissive as children. 

4. We are now engaged in new wars; Qn.vostio encour- 
ages us; we shall entertain so other thought towards him-, 
than those of peace. 

They reserved their richest presents for these last four 
words; but lean assure.you that their countenances told more 
than their tongues, and expressed such joy, mingled with 
gladness, that my heart was full. What appeared t:> me- 
most endearing in all this, was that our Huron christians 
and the captive women lighted this fire, which melts the 
hearts of the Iroquois. These poor captives had told them 
much good of us, and spoke so often of the great value of 
the Faith, that they prise it, without being acquainted with 
it;, and they love us> in the hope that we shall be for them 
what we have been for the Huron Indians. 

The 12th of August Our Christian captive:?, wishing to 
confess before my departure gave me employment, or rather 
the repose whish I wished for, I baptised a llttie girl of four 
Years who was dying. I recovered from the hands of the*e 
barbarians, the New Testament of the late Father Jean db 
Buoebeuf, whom they put to a cruel death five years ago, 
and a small book of devotion, which was used by the late 
Father Charles Garnier, whom they also killed four years 
aor>. 

The 13th. Came the leave taking. Observing the cus- 
tom of friends on similar occasions, having convoked the 
council, I made them two presents to console them. And 
with this view, I first planted in the name of AchiEs&asse ; 
(which is the general appellation of the General Superior of 
sill our Society's missions in this country,) the first post of 
which to begin a cabin. This is like laying in France, the 
first or corner stone of a house, one intends to build. My 
second present was to place the first strip of bark to cover 



MISSIONS IX WESTERS SEW YORK. 93 

the cabin. This evidence of affection satisfied them, and 
three or four of their chiefs thanked me publicly in speeches 
which, one could not be persuaded, issued from the lips of 
men called savages. 

We arrive at the entrance of a small lake, in a large half 
dried basin; we take the water of a spring that they durst 
•not drink, saving that there is a demon in it, which renders 
it fceted, having tasted it I found it was a fountain of salt- 
water; and, in fact, we made salt from it, as natural as that 
from the sea; of which we carried a sample to Quebec." 
(When the report reached New York, then New Amster- 
dam, that Le Moyne had made the discovery of salt water 
at Onondaga, the Dutch pronounced it, '' a Jesuit lie! " 

The 17th. We enter their river, and at a quarter of a 
league meet on the left the Seneca river, which increases 
this; it leads they say to Cayuga (Onion) and to the Sen- 
eeas in two sunsets. At three leagues of a fine road from 
there, we have the river Oneida, (Oneiout) which appears 
to us very deep. Finally a good league lower down we 
meet a rapid which gives the name to a village of fisher- 
men. I found there some of our Christians and some Hu- 
ron Christian women whom I have not yet seen. 

Before the return of Le Moyne an embassy of Ononda- 
gas arrived at Quebec, soliciting the Jesuits to establish a 
permanent residence among them. 

This request was immediately granted and Father ChAu- 
monet, a veteran Missionary in New France, and Claude 
Dallon, who had recently arrived an the country, were 
assigned to the duty. 

They left Quebec on the 19th of September 1655, and 

proceeding by the way of St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, 

arrived on the oth of October within a quarter of a league 

of the "Onondaga village. Here they were met by a de- 

■ putation of chiefs, who received them with speeches and 



94 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

welcomed them to their country. As they passed to the 
Council House, the roof of the wig-warns were crowded 
with persons, anxious to obtain a sight of the pale faces. 

The Jesuits immediately assembled the scattered mem- 
bers of the church which had formerly existed in the Hu- 
ron country, now captive among the Onondagas, but which 
might serve as a nucleus for their future operations. 

They visited the salt springs, which they describe as near 
the Onondaga lakes, and as flowing through a beautiful 
meadow, surrounded by trees of lofty height. Near by the 
Springs, and within one hundred paces, they found fresh 
water issuing from the same hill. 

On the 12th of November, they witnessed the torture of 
a young Erie, nine or ten years old, who was burnt alive 
before a slow fire, and expired in two hours, without utter- 
ing a groan or complaint. 

On the 17th they finished their chapel, which they nam- 
ed the church of St. Peter and Paul, it being the first 
house dedicated to Christian worship in the Northern or 
Western part of our State. D' Albion remained with the 
Onondagas until the following Spring, when, leaving CnAi> 
mont in the Mission, lie returned toMontreal. 

In September 165a, three distinguished Seneca Chiefs 
arrived at Quebec from the Genesee country; called Sonon- 
tonan, for the purpose of forming a friendly alliance with 
the Algonquins, French and remnants of the Hurons. They 
were followed by a larger delegation in January 1656, con- 
sisting of ten Chiefs, the principal one of v%hom is described 
fts wise and skillful in managing the affairs of the nation, 
and possessed of rare and persuasive eloquence. They de- 
sired the Jesuits to visit their country, and teach them those 
truths, of which their Huron captives had informed th^m. 

The cantons of the Fiva Nations being now apparently 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 95 

thrown open to the operations of the Jesuits, preparations 
were made to occupy the field in full force. 

There was still great distrust of the sincerity of the Iro- 
quois for their former perfidy fc and cruelty and the tragedies 
they enacted in the Huron country, were still fresh, in the 
memory of the French. 

A captive Huron, who had escaped from Onondagn, 
told them the design was, to induce as many French as 
possible, to trust themselves in the country, and then to 
put them all to death. 

"But it was no part of the Jesuit creed to shrink from 
danger. ' The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians,' 
was his axiom; and the blood shed by the Iroquois cried 
not for vengeance, but for pardon and mercy. The Mission 
must go on, and Fathers Mesnard, D'Ablon, Frenieu, 
Broar and Boursier, under the guidance of their spiritual 
head, Francois Le Mercier, left for the Central Iroquois 
tribe on the 1 7th May, 1656/' (0. II. Marshall.) They 
suffered much in their journey. Not far from the present 
village of Liverpool, on the northern shore of the Lake, 
they fixed their habitation. The u Te Denm" was p 11110 ■; 
a firm treaty of peace was ratified, and the Onondagas and 
Senecas were adopted as brothers; the Oneidas and Cayu- 
gas as children of the great Oxnontio, Governor of New 
France. 

On iheir arrival, they met twenty Christian Huron cap- 
tives, who showed their unbounded joy at seeing Father 
Ciialwioxt, whom- they had known in the Huron country. 
Some threw themselves on his neck; some invited him to 
a feast; others gave hka presents.. Prayers were said in 
the open air, a cabin being too smaJi to contain them. The 
Father heard their confessions, and instructed these poor 
souls who had heard nothing of God since their captivity. 
He also says; "The Ilurons of the upper country, who had. 



9b MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

never been instructed, on account of their aversion to the 
faith, have also begun to yield; so true it is, that affliction 
gives a right understanding. We have baptised in different 
times, in sundry places, more than four huudred and fifty 
savages, of all ages, notwithstanding the obstacles of the 
wars in which they are engaged. If we can sustain 
preachers of the Gospel in these countries, which I call the 
country of martyrs, many more will be baptised." Truly 
they might expect success for these missionaries, since all 
could truly utter the words of Father Chaumont, who 
?poke the Indian language fluently, and who, in his address 
to the assembled Council of savages, said : "Not for traffic, 
do we appear in your country; our aim is much higher. 
Keep your beaver, if you like, for the Dutch. What comes 
to our hand shall be employed for your 'service. We seek 
not perishable things. For the faith alone, have we left 
our land; for the faith, have we traversed the ocean; for 
the faith, have we left the great ships of the French, to 
enter \our tiny canoes; for the faith, I hold in my hand 
this present, and open my lips to summon you to keep your 
word, given at Quebec. There you solemnly promised io 
hearken to the words of the Great God ; they are in my 
mouth ; hear them V Then running over the principal doc- 
trines of Christianity, he called upon them to say whether 
they were not just, and summoned them by their hope of 
bliss, or fear of chastisement, to embrace the faith. 11 is 
discourse produced a profound sensation: they built the 
Church of St. Mary, the Christian captives hastened to 
receive the sacraments many were baptised. " From that 
time the missionaries performed all their duties with the 
same freedom as if they were in the midst of a colony of 
French, and the missionaries well knew, in their hearts, 
those of whom the Holy Spirit had taken possession. The 
next year, it became necessary to enlarge the chapel, which 



MISSION'S IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 9< 

could not contain all those who wished to be instructed. " — 
Clark. 

In the year 1657, the harvest appearing plentiful in all 
the villages of the upper Iroquois, (Oayugas and Seneeas,) 
the common people listening to the words of tbe Gospel 
with simplicity, and the chiefs with a well-disguised dis- 
simulation — Father Paul Ragueneau, Father Francois 
Du Peron, some Frenchmen and several Hurons, departed 
from Montreal, the 26th July, to aid their brethren and 
compatriots. 

On the third day of the month of August, of the same 
year, 16.57, the perfilyof the Iroquois chiefs, urged on by 
emissaries from New York, began to develop itself, by the 
massacre of the poor Hurons who had been brought into 
the country, after thousands of protestations of kindness, 
and thousands of oaths, in Indian style, that they should 
threat them as brothers. Had not a number of Iroquois 
remained among the French, near Quebec, to endeavor to 
bring with them the rest of the Hurons, who, distrusting 
these traitors, would not embark with the others, the Fath- 
ers and the Frenchmen who ascended with them, would 
have then been destroyed; and all those who remained on 
the banks of Lake Ganatoa, near to Onnontaque, would, 
shortly after, have shared the same fate. But the fear that 
the French would wreak vengeance on their countrymen 
retarded their design, of which our Fathers had had secret 
intelligence, immediately on their arrival in the country. 
Even a captain, who was acquainted with the secret of the 
chiefs, having taken some liking to the preachings of the 
Gospel, and finding himself very sick, demanded baptism ; 
having received it with sufficient instruction, he revealed the 
evil designs of his countrymen to those who attended him, 
and went a short time afterwards to Heaven. 

The diplomacy of the Dutch, who from New Amsterdam, 



93 ' MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORE!. 

now New York, sought to detach the Indians, from the 
French; and the jealousies of trade, caused the Indian 
mind to be poisoned by hundreds of slanders, vain fancies, 
and suspicions ; to this a missionary adds, at the dis- 
astrous time just mentioned, the following: 

" I believe rather that the Onnontaque Iroquois, demand- 
ed some Frenchmen in sincerity, but with views very 
different. The chiefs, finding themselves engaged in heavy 
wars, against a number of nations whom they had provoked, 
asked for Huron's as reinforcements to their warriors; they 
wished for the French to obtain firearms for them, and 
to repair those which might be broken. Further, as the 
Mohawks treated them very ill, when passing through 
their villages to trade with the Dutch,, they were anxious to 
rise out of this dependence, by opening a trade with the 
French. This is not all, the fate of arms being fickle, they 
demanded, that our Frenchmen should erect a vast fort in 
their country, to serve as a retreat for them, or at least for 
their wives and children, in case their enemies pressed too 
close on them. Here are the views of the Iroquois politi- 
cians. The common people did not penetrate so far ahead ; 
curiosity to see strangers, come fro-m such a distance and 
the hope of deriving some little profit, created a desire to 
see them ; but the Christian Hurons and captives among 
the people, and those who approved their lives and conver- 
sations, which they sometimes held regarding our be-lief, 
desired nothing in the world so much, as the coming of 
preachers of the Gospel, who had brought these Hurons to 
the faith of Jesus Christ. But, as soon as the Cheif says 
the dreaded Cat, or Erie nation, subjugated by, their arms, 
their policy changed.*' 

The political and commercial intrigues of the day, entrap- 
ed the Indians to a course which has been their ruin, ami 
which leaves their sad remnant still pagan. They were 



missions in Testers sew york. C9 

taught to suspect the missionaries, whose death was planned 
Hut almost by miracle, the missionaries and their com- 
panions, all escape-l on the 26th Much 1658. Thus ended 
for a time, after a brief existence, tit 3 mission of Su Marys 
•of Ganentau, in the Onondagas country, with its dependant 
missions among the Oneidas, Cat 110a, Senecas, it was now 
vrushed; but its effect was not lost, many had been 
brought to the faith, and more were convinced of the truth 
and beauty of Christian"! ty but for motives of policy, 
they still hung back. A powerful Indian, Garacontic, though 
up to their departure, no sign had betrayed his favorable 
■opinion of Christianity, now became openly the protector of 
the Cbritians. Garacontic, by presents and arguments 
rescued as many Christians as he could, in all the cantons. 
At Onondaga, morning and night, by a bell, he called 
twenty four of those rescued Christians to prayer. On 
Sundays he gave feasts, now in one cabin, now another, to 
enable the Christians to spend the day in prayer. It is to 
be hoped that the Cayuga chief JSaonchiogua, the warm 
friend of Garacontic, did the same for Cayuga; and others, 
for the Senecas. 

This friend of Garacontic, injuly 1660 presented him- 
self with a flag of truce, before the walls of Montreal, and 
demanded, "That the holy women, (nuns) may come to 
•see us, both those who take care of the sick, and those who 
instruct the young. We will build them fine cabins, and 
the fairest mats in the country are destined for them. Let 
tbem not fear the currents, or rapids, r^we have removed 
them all, and rendered tke riper so smooth, that they could 
■themselves* without pain or fear, ply the light -paddle. A 
black-gown must come with me, otherwise no peace; and, 
on his coming depends the lives of twenty Frenchmen at 
Onondaga." The returned captives declared that the 
Indian women were uuanimously for Christianity, &c. The 



100 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

intrepid missionary Le Moyne, then nearly sixty years of 
age, joyfully prepared for a mission which seemed to pro- 
mise martyrdom, On the 12th August, 1660, Father Le 
idoYNE was solemnly received at the Mission-hou.se, by tfie 
sachems of Onondaga, Cayuga, and' Seneca. In his poor 
chapel, French, Huron and Iroquois- assembled around the 
same altar, each cbaunting m his own tongue- the words of 
truth and life. Ever on the march, village after village, 
received his missionary visks, and everywhere his presence 
was gladly welcomed. But he passed through many dan- 
gers. An enraged savage once burst into his chapel, to 
destroy the crucifix : Father Le Moyxe sprang between the 
altar and the savage, and bared his own head for the blow ; 
but the murchever's hand was caught by sachems, who were 
p resent, as the tomahawk glbtened in the air.'" 

The simple words of the Jesuit- missionary will here npt 
be out of place; in 1>66&, the missionary writes: 

" I am going to finish this letter bv the baptism of a 
captive brought from the Audastoques, He was about 
fifty years of age, and he- appeared to have been of consid- 
erable note among his own nation. They held him for 
some days in, the uncertainty of death-, during which time,. 
he thought far more oS making his escape, than of securing 
the salvation of his soul. At length, being- assured by 
Father Garnier that there was no chance of their allowing 
him. to be delivered t'oc any presents, he thanked; the Father 
with as much ; flection as if he had- given him assurance of 
life: and he commenced with a goodwill to repeat the 
instructions which tliey had taught him in the- chapel. 

Father Millet after having duly prepared), baptized him. 
The captive was immediately aftei wards carried back to the- 
same cabin, where he was kept, the rest of the day, fur the 
amusement of those who came to see him, and who made 
him. sing according to their custom. Fortunately for him the 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW TORE. 101 

Father met him on the way, when they were carrying him 
to another cabin to burn him. 'T approached him 1 ' said 
the Father in one of his letters "and after having consoled 
him, and encouraged him to suffer with constancy, doubted 
whether I should go "further; but a savage, having told me 
to go boldly with him, to instruct him, I determined to go, 
and arrived at the cabin as soon as the captive, and sat down 
by him. 

They were already preparing the fires and irons, with 
which he was to suffer, on seeing this sad preparation, he 
turned towards me, and asked if he would go to heaven: 
this question moved me, and I told him he would go to 
heaven, that he should take courage, that he would only 
suffer for a short time, and that he would then be eternally 
happy. He then repeated with me, over and over again : 
Lord have mercy upon me, until they told me the time for 
instruction was up, and that I should retire. I left him 
with regret resolved to return the next day. True enough, I 
returned the next morning at break of day ; 1 approached 
the captive, and told him I was sorry to see him in such a 
state. He assured me that I gave him great pleasure I v 
speaking so: and when an Iroquois was ready to place a 
red hot iron upon his toot, I saw him rise it up himself, and 
keep ir thus raised up against the red hot iron, until it had 
lost the greatest part of its heat. 

They had not as vet burnt him any higher than his knees ; 
but scarcely had the sun rose, when they uttered the cry 
through the ullage, for every one to assemble; they then 
conducted him towards the gate, where they had built two 
fires, and had driven a stake with which to fasten his hands 
and feet. When this miserable captive saw himself, thus 
fastened between two fires, he commenced trembling all 
over his body, and I never saw anything that reminded me 
more of our Lord, at the pillar, and the fear which caused 



102 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

Lis bloody sweat in the garden of Olives; The more I saw 
him afflicted, the more I endeavored to console and comfort 
him. During the time of his sufferings, I kept close to 
him, sometimes throwing- myself on my knees, and praying 
for the salvation of his soul, sometimes saying some good 
word to him, when they gave him some relaxation; and 
encouraging him to turn his eyes to heaven, and to pray for 
his eternal salvation. He suffered with so much constancy, 
that he was admired by every one; all believed, that the 
rain, which fell for some days afterwards, was caused by his 
death. 

The savages were edified by the manner in which I assist- 
ted him in his sufferings, and they asked so many questions 
as to give me the opportunity of instructing them upon our 
mysteries. 

This work of assisting captives, when they are burned 
alive, and whm they are eaten, in the presence of the mis- 
sionary, requires a great deal of courage, and for one who 
has a natural horror of seeing men burnt and eaten, as is the 
case with a new missionary, there is great need of being well 
fortified with grace. Besides this captive, there were thirty 
others baptized this year, in the mission of the Onontagues, 
the most of them are d^ad and in heaven, praying to God 
for the salvation of their brethren." 

Dutch traders soon ii >oded the canton with intoxicating 
liquors; hence Father Le Movne disgusted, gladly accepted 
an invitation to visit Cayuga, then ravaged by an epedem- 
ick. He ministered to the sick, .and saved many. A month 
was too short for him to confess the Christians, baptise their 
children, and instruct them all. He then returned to Onon- 
daga. Garacontic had, during his absence, baffled the 
war party who had plotted the death of Le Moyne. The 
fervent missionary returned. He had preached to captive 
Indians of ten different tribes, baptised two hundred infants, 
and won several adults to the faith. During his stay at 



MISSIONS IX WESTERN" NEW YORK. 



103 



Onondaga, Christian Indians, especially women, came fre- 
quently from other cantons, nuclei* various pretexts, to profit 
by his sacred ministry. Some of them, by their piety and 
virtue, won their mistresses to the faith, and brought them 
to receive instruction from him. After the departure of Le 
Moyne the war broke out anew; the Mohawks and Oneidas 
were defeated by the Chippewas. Near Conestogues, (called 
by the Hurons, Andastes, Andastogues, and Gandastagues.) 
pressed hard on the Western Cantons. The scattered 
Algonquins resumed courage, and cut off Iroquois parties, 
but being now Christians, they did not perpetrate on their 
prisoners, the fiendish cruelties usual with them before their 
conversion. Giving the prisoners a missionary, and time 
for instruction, they led them out and shot them. The 
pagan Indians, seeing this exclaimed : "Good, good! when 
we will become Christians, we shall do so too." In the 
spring of 1664,- the Indians, especially the Seneeas, asked 
for missionaries. Le Moyne offered to go, but the French, 
so often deceived, refused. A Cayuga chief headed a del- 
egation of his tribe, but he also failed. Le Moyne died 
November 24, 1665. His death was mourned as a public 
loss by the French. The Iroquois sent presents to wipe 
away the tears for his death. His place was soon filled by 
Fathers James Fkemin and Peter Reffaix. 

We cannot follow the zealous missionaries in their 
devoted labors on the Mohawk River. Many are the traits 
of truly apostolic zeal shown by these missionaries— many 
the instances of saintly virtue in their neophytes. At 
Canawago, Montgomery county, the child, Catherine 
Teaghokuita, already began to develop the high sanctity 
which has made her name famous. "Fervor pervaded all, 
and converts were made who never swerved from the faith. 
The Catholic Indians of the Mohawk were now known and 
ridiculed by the people of Albany, who had never made 

G 



304 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

an attempt to introduce Christianity there. The burghers 
of Albany and New York even threatened the squaws for 
displaying their < beads and popish trumpery' in their vil- 
lages ; but, far from concealing these marks of their faith, 
the noble Mohawk women were ready to die for it," 

Onondaga, the central mission, was now established on a 
firm basis; the Offices of the Church were celebrated, the 
sacraments administered, and Christian virtues practiced as 
regularly and carefully as in the most Catholic parts of 
Europe. In a short time, two hundred were baptised— 
among them, five chieftain a, pillars of the Church ; one of 
whom, in a ^public assembly, advocated the faith as the 
only hope of saving their country, by restoring morality, 
and, above all, fidelity in marriage, and in their relations 
with each other, the want of which had been more destruc- 
tive than armies. 

The women, especially listened to the words of truth 
and the l Relations' of the missionaries dwell with interest 
on the noble death of Magdalen Tiotonharason,w1io had 
gone to Quebec to learn the prayer, (Christianity,) and 
who remained steadfast to her last sigh, amid the seduc- 
tions and persuasions of her unbelieving relatives. The 
bold stand of the missionaries against polygamy, had won to 
their cause all the women, who felt indeed the crimes, to 
which their actual state often gave rise. 

The Church was composed of three nations— Onondagas, 
Hurons and Neutrals — all bound together by the common 
tie of faith, which made master and slave kneel down side 
by side. Obstacles were no longer raised by the medicine- 
men, no sachem opposed the missionaries, and all gloried in 
the name of Christian. 

The reader will understand better the cause, not of the 
failure of the mission, but of its being chased off by men, 
and transferred by God to another region — by reading the 



MISSION'S IK WESTERN NEW- XORK-. 105= 

following letters: one, from a New York Governor, who 
professed to be a Catholic, but who placed his politics high 
above his religion, who promised the Indians "English 
Black-Gowns," (they got Protestant ministers, who would 
not stay with them ;) and one from a Jesuit priest — both 
copied from "Documents Relating to the Colonial History 
of New York," Vol III., pages 438, etc. : 

" Propositions to the Five Nations westward, viz. : to the 
cheife Sachems and Captains of the Senekes, Cajouges, 
Onondages, Onneydes and Maquasse by the Gov r in the 
Citty Hall of Albany, the fifth day of August, 1687, ic 
the third year of his Maj ties Reigue: 

"Brethren: — 

"I am verry gladd to see you all here in this house 
and am heartely gladd that you have sustained no greater 
losse by the French, tho' I beleive there intention was to 
destroy you all, if they could have surprised you in your 
castles ; and as soon as I heard of there designe to warr 
with you, I gave you notice of itt, and came up here my-, 
selfe that I might bee ready to give you all the assistance 

and advice, that soe short a time would allow me 

My advice is, further, to you^ that Messengers goe in, the 
behalfe of all the Five Nations to- tko Christian Ind ns att 
Cannada, to persuade them to come home, to their native 
Country, and to promisse them, s$ protection, which will 
be another great means to weaken your Enemies, and if 
they will not be actvised, then you know what to doe with 
them. I think itt verry necessary for the Brethren's 
security and assistance, and to the. endamaging the French, 
to build a Fort upon the Lake, where I may keepe stores 
and provisions in case of necessity, and therefore I would 
have the Brethren let me know what place will be most 
convenient for itt. . . . There, is no advice or proposition 
that I made to the Brethren, all the while that the Priest 



106 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

lived att Onondaga, butt hee writt itt to Cannada, as I 
have found by one of bis letters tbat hee bad given to an 
Indyan to carry to Cannada, and was brought here ; there- 
fore I desire the Brethren not to receive him or any French 
Priests any more, having sent for English Priests, whom 
you can be supplyed with, all to content." 
KEV. DEAN DE LAMBERVILLE TO GOV. DONGA.N. 

Onontaque 10th Sept. 1685. 
My Lord 
" I bad the honor not long since to write to you; it was 
last month. Since the dispatch of my last letter, the 
Senecas who were desirous to make trouble and to persuade 
the Mohawks and other villages to unite with them against 
Moris. DeLaBarre, have changed their minds; since they 
were assured that the peace concluded -last year, as you 
desired, would not be broken by M. De La Barre, as they 
were maliciously told, and as a hundred false reports which 
are never ceased being related would persuade them. 
* * * Since peace, through your care, will apparently 
last, we shall continue to cany the Christian faith, through 
this country, and to solicit the Indians, whom your honor 
with your friendship, to embrace it as you yourself embrace 
it, tor this is the sole object that has caused us to come 
here, that the blood of Jesus Christ shed for all men may 
be useful to them, and that His glory may be great through- 
out the earth. 

If you will please to honor me with a line from your 
hand you can have your letter given to one named Garak- 
•ontie who is deputed from the Onnontagues to repair to 
the Diet which you have convoked at Albany. Do him the 
charity to exhort him to be a good Christian, as he was 
whose name he bears, and who was his brother. Recom- 
mend him I beseech you not to get drunk any more, as he 
promised when he was baptized, and to perform the duties 



MISSIONS IX WESTERN NEW YORK. 107 

of a Christian. , Oue word from you will have a wonderful 
effect on his mind, an i he will publish throughout that it is 
not true that the English forbid them to be Christians since 
you who command them will have exhorted him to per- 
severe therein/' 

The border war ended with the peace of Ryswick, in 
1697, and the French then hoped as much as the English 
dreaded, to see the restoration of the Jesuits' missions. The. 
seed of opposition sown by Dongan had now grown to 
ripeness, and a new Governor, an Irish peer, of deep-rooted; 
fanaticism, ruled the destines of New York. 

One of his first acts was to warn the Indians, against the 
French priests. Mindful of Dongan's promise- of English 
Black-gowns, the deputies asked Bellamont to fulfill it, 
Accordingly, Dellixs, the Dutch pastor at Albany, was 
appointed missionary to the Mohawks, alt-hough: he never 
took up his residence among them, and limited his ministry 
to occasional visits, when he preached by an interpreter, 
and to the administration of baptism, to such children as 
were brought to him in Albany. Such a man hardly 
seemed to the Indians a successor of zealous Catholic priests, 
whose cabins had so long been seen in their viMages. Dis- 
appointed in their application to New York, they naturally 
turned to Canada for religious teachers. Bellai*iont was 
provoked, and resolved to exclude the Jesuite, unblushingly 
declaring, "that the Five Nations had earnestly implored 
him to drive out the Jesuits who oppressed them," although 
he knew that since 1685 there had been no missionary in 
the cantons, except Father Milet, and he not an oppressor^ 
but oppressed, a prisoner and a slave. 

To carry out his plan, he sent to the Assembly the .draft 
of a bill against Jesuits and priests. It was not relished : 
several of the missionaries had, at various times, visited the 
colonies; they were known and esteemed by the leading 



l0& MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

men, who had thus been enabled to see Catholicity in its 
workings, which the infatuated Governor had not. The 
Council negatived the bill : Bella&ont, voting as a mem- 
ber, made a tie, and then voting again as Governor, carried 
his point, and made it the law of the land. Assuming the 
Iroquois to be subjects of the English monarch, and with 
still greater disregard of truth, averring that "Jesuit priests 
and popish missionaries, had lately Come into, and for some 
time had their residence in remote parts of the province, to 
excite hostility against the English government," the bill 
enacts that every priest in the colony, "after the 1st of 
November, be deemed an incendiary, a disturber of the 
'public peace, and an enemy of the Christian religion;" and 
condemned him to perpetual imprisonment^ and, in case of 
escape, to death, if retaken. 

The generous burghers, and their clergy, who had so 
often showed hospitality to the French missionaries, were, by 
the same act, threatened with a heavy fine, and with the 
pillory, should they ever again harbor a priest under their 
roofs. 

Bellamont had sought to prevent the Iroquois from 
making any separate peace with the French; but on Fron- 
tenac's death, the cantons sent deputies to 'the St. Law- 
rence to condole with the colony. This was not, however, 
their only care; they asked that Father Bruyas should be 
sent among them, and the eider De LaMberville, be re- 
called from France to resume his old mission. The answer 
was '-ikferred, but on the coming of a second embassy, 
Father Bruyas, with Joncaire and Maricourt, adopted 
Iroquois, set out for Onondaga. Here they were received 
by Tegamissoran with much solemnity, and all terms having 
been arranged, peace was signed at Montreal, on the 8th of 
September, 1700, by deputies of all the nations. 

To carry out its provisions, Bruyas visited Onondaga 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 109 

again in 1 701, and having brought back the French pris- 
oners, there, a new treaty was signed at Montreal by the 
French, Iroquois, Abnakis, Huroiis, Ottawas, Illinois, and 
Algon quins. 

No mention was made of the missions in this document ; 
but a deputation sent, at the request of Teoammissoran, in 
1702, iuvited the return of the missionaries to their former 
posts, ? Fathers were accordingly sent everywhere," says 
Charlevoix, "and a cotemporary list numbers as Iroquois 
missionaries Father James de Lamberville, Julian Gar- 
nier and Le Vaillant, who renewed their labors among 
the Onondagas and Senecas." These missions the cantons 
bound themselves to maintain; and though a new war be- 
tween England and France soon broke out, the missionaries 
won the cantons to neutrality ; so that New York and Can- 
ada, then escaped all the horrors of Indian war. 

The missions accordingly continued, but we have no 
tidings of them. Father James D'Hetj, and Father Peter 
De Marenil joined the rest, and they labored on till 1708, 
when the English finally induced all but the Senecas to take 
up arms. 

By the extract of a letter from M. De Taudrenil to M. 
De Pontchaatrain, dated Quebec, 14th November 1709, 
it will be seen that anti- Catholic diplomacy outwitted the 
Jesuits; proving what Our Lord said: "the children of this 
world are wiser in their generations, than the children of 
light" 

" Abraham Schuyler having had a long conversation 
with the Reverend Father De La.mberville, and having 
likewise expressed to him his regret at being obliged to pre- 
sent the hatchet to the Indians, managed so well that he 
persuaded this good Father to come himself to Montreal 
to give me an account of what was passing; and, as he de- 
sired nothing better than to send off Father De Lamber- 



110 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

tille, of whose influence over the. Onontagues he was aware, 
lie took advantage of his absence, as soon as he saw him 
depart, and told the Reverend Father De Marinel, who 
had remained, that his life was not safe, insinuated to him 
that the only means of extricating himself from certain 
danger, to which he was exposed was to accompany them to 
Orange, which this good father complied with, as appears 
by a copy of a letter, which he himsalf • addressed to Father 
D'HeUj Missionary at Seneca, and which I annex hereunto. 
In order to engage the Onontagues the more to declare war 
against as, Abraham Schuyler immediately made some 
drunken Indians set tire to the Father's chapel and house, 
which he first caused to be pillaged." — Documents, etc., CoJ. 
Hist, of X. Y., Vol. IX. P . SJO. 

In 1700 Earl Belmont writes his instructions to Romer, 
about locating a fort at Onondaga; he concludes thus: 
'-'You will do well to assure them, (the Indians,) of my 
kindness, provided they continue faithful to the kino-, and 
keep no correspondence with the French in Canada, nor 
receive amy of the priests and Jeviits among them. All 
which instructions you are carefully to observe and perform 
for His Majesty. 

3d September, 1?00. Signed Belmont." 

> 

A fitting close, showing why New York Indians did not 

become Christians, will be found' in the following dispatch. 
In the official letter of Secretary Wraxall to Sir William 
Johnson, of January, 1756, we read: "The French de- 
bauched many of our five nations to their religion and in- 
terests, actually drew several off to- go and live in Canada, 
and laid the foundation of that formidable and fatal seduc- 
tion, which now forms the Cagnawaga nation. 

" Still profiting by our supineness, and presuming on the 
weakness of our Indian management, the French push a 
^oint not; less indolent than., alarming, with the consent of 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. Ill 

some Onondaga Indians whom they had debauched to their 
interests. They built a fort, and were building a chapel at 
the Onondaga castle. Our Albany commissioners awoke; 
Coll Schuyler went up there with a party of men, de- 
stroyed both the fort and chapel, drove the French away, 
and strengthened our Indian interest. However we relapsed 
into our former indolence, and the French, though not so 
boldly, yet steadily pursued their measures." 

An unaccountable thirst for large tracts of land, without 
the design of cultivation, hath prevailed over the inhabi- 
tants of this and the neighboring provinces, with a singular 
rage. Patents have been lavishly granted, (to give it no 
worse term,) upon the pretence of fair Indian purchases, 
some of which the Indians have alleged were never made, 
but forged. Others bought of Indians who were no propri- 
etors; some by making two or three Indians drunk, and giv- 
ing them a trivial consideration. They say also, the survey- 
ors have frequently run patents vastly beyond even the pre- 
tended conditions or limits of sale, 

But at the same time it appeared, Firstly, That the con- 
federate nations, at their meeting with Coll Johnson, did 
with great reluctance take up the hatchet against the French 
and their Indians. 

Secondly, That they declined sending any of their people 
to join General Braddock. 

Thirdly; That they were not inclined to join General 
Shirley. He then advises that 

k ' The soldiers to be encouraged by some gratuities and 
advantages to marry such Indian women as will embrace 
Protestant Christianit}-." — Documents relating to Colonial 
Histoiy, Vol. VII, p. 16, etc. 

Who can tell what would have been the happy lot of the 
Indians, and that, still more glorious than at present, of our 
noble state, had not politics, and cupidity, and frantic hatred of 



112 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

the Catholic religion wrested from the New York Indians 
all means of becoming Catholic Christians; other than that 
they never will be. In time, through great efforts and sac- 
rifices, some may be made tolerably decent gentiles; Chris- 
tians, never, but through the full form our Lord established. 
It would scarcely be just to pass on ward) without givino- 
some correct notion of the sanctity to which poor New York 
Indians had reached, long before their Christianity was 
placed under penal law* 



CHAPTER IX . 

GOSPEL FRUITS— SANCTITY AMONG THE INDIANS. 

A distinguished feature of the Catholic Church is, that 
the "good oder of Christ, will ever be found" wherever 
exterior or interior secular power, does not impede the sa- 
cred movements of the Christian Priesthood; fetter the di- 
vine Hierarchy of the Church of the Living God, "which 
is the body of Christ, and the fulness of Him;" or impede 
the due action of the Visible Head, on the living but scat- 
tered numbers. Then, always and everywhere, will be 
found many who can, in some just and true degree, say 
with St. Paul: "I live; now not I, but Christ Jesus lives 
in me." 

How wonderful a change did not the Jesuits effect in 
Paraguay ! An infidel combination chased away the Pas- 
tors ; " and the sheep of the flock were dispersed !" Most 
touching are the early annals of Mexican Christianity. 
The innocence and piety of the devoted early Mexican 
Christian Indians; still linger, with holy freshness, round 
many secluded spots, to which liberal, (illiberal, almost in- 
fidel) Christians had no access. Our General Pike, (who 
during the war of 1812, died heroically, the Patriot's 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 113 

death at Fort Erie, opposite Buffalo,) having, before the 
Mexican revolution, strayed, with a small band of soldiers, 
into the Mexican territory, was made prisoner, and led 
to the City of Mexico. Treated with the greatest kindness, 
led through almost the whole country, abiding long enough 
to become intimately acquainted with it, he wrote a work 
on Mexico, in which he praised the general innocence and 
piety of the people, the estimable character of the priest- 
hood, and its beneficent action on the Indians. 

In 1810 the revolution began. More than twelve years 
of civil war, injured the vineyard of the Lord. But when 
the so called Liberals, adopted a form of Government for 
which, neither the traditions, nor the habits of the people 
were prepared, the Bishops and Spanish Priests, that is 
nearly all the well instructed clergy of the country were 
banished. The poor Indians were left with a handful of 
Priests, each often forced to say six or eight masses, 
every Sunday, in different and distant churches. In- 
struction, the frequentation of the Sacraments, &c, became 
for many, an impossibility. Add to this, that most of the 
Indian Christians, after having been legally robbed of their 
lands, by liberal speculators, were driven up the mountains, 
towards the region of eten^al snow, whither the few, over 
worked missionaries, could not follow them; strange then 
would it be, if many were not now sadly different from 
what they were when General Pike uttered his words of 
high commendation. It has been seen already, and will 
be seen yet more clearly, that here, also hostile opposition 
struggled, from the beginning, against " the grain of 
mustard seedy Still, almost from the beginning, the fruits 
of sanctity, gave evidence to the work of God. And that, 
too, in the very way which Scripture notes, as distinguish- 
ing God's work, from the work of the Father of lies. 

If the Redeemer was to be "Emmanuel," "God with 



114 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

w*," he was also to be " The Son of David," " The man of 
sorroivs." He sought not to please himself; he watched ; 
he fasted; he suffered. David, who had seen the Lord, in 
distant blessed vision, caught his spirit, and says of himself: 
" I covered my soul in fasting; and it was made a reproach 
to me. And I made hair cloth my garment. I have la- 
bored in my groanings; every night I will wash my bed; 
1 will water my couch with my tears. I have watched, 
and become as a sparrow, all alone on the house top. For 
1 did eat ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with 
weeping !" The holy youth Daniel tells us almost the 
same. St. Paul is eloquent, when he often alludes to how 
severely " he chastised the flesh, and brought it into sub- 
jection. In labor and painfulness, in watehings often, in 
hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 1 ' 
Must not a Christian admire, and adore in his work, the Sa- 
viour God, who is "the same yesterday, to-day and forev- 
er: 1 ' when he sees the poor Indian, unknown to the Priest, 
and with an exaggerated zeal, which the Pastor checks as 
soon as known, practice the penances to which the spirit of 
God impelled his saints in every age. But it is time to be- 
gin the life of one, who, we will find, had many imitators. 

Letter from Father Cfioloneo, Missionary of the Society 
of Jesus to Father Augustine La Banc, Procurator of 
Mis.sious in Canada : 

At Sault de St. Louis, 27th Aug. 1715. 
My Reverend Father : 

The peace of our Lord be with you : 

The marvels which God is working every day through 
the intercession of a young Iroquois female who has lived 
and died among us in the order of sanctity, have induced 
me, to inform you of the particulars of her life. You have 
yourself been a witness of these wonders, when you dis- 
charged here, with so much zeal, the duties of a missiona- 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW YORK. 115 

ry, and you know that the exalted Prelate who governs 
this Church, touched by the prodigies, with which God has 
deigned to honor the memory of this holy maiden; has, 
with reason, called her "the Genevieve of ISew France." 
All the French who are in the colonies, as well as the In- 
dians, hold her iu singular veneration. They come from a 
great distance to pray at her tomb, and many, by her in- 
tercession, have been immediately cured of their maladies, 
and have received from Heaven other extraordinary favors. 
1 will write you nothing, my Reverend Father, which I 
have not myself seen, during the time she was under my 
care, or which I have not learned of the missionary, who 
conferred on her the rite of holy baptism. 

TeaCtHokuita, (which is the name of this holy woman, 
about whom I am going to inform you,) was born in the 
year 1656, at Gandaugue, one of the settlements of the 
Ijwer Iroquois, who are called Agnez, (Mohawks.) Her 
lather was an Iroquois and a heathen; her mother, who 
was a Christian, was an Algonquin; taken prisoner by the 
Iroquois, she remained a captive in their country. We 
have since learned that, in the midst of heathens, she pre- 
served her faith, even to her death. By her marriage she 
had two children, one son and one daughter — -the latter of 
whom is the subject of this narrative — but the poor mother 
died, without having been able to procure for them, the 
grace of baptism. The small pox which ravaged the Iro- 
quois country, in a few days removed her husband, her 
son, and herself,. Teagmgkuita was also attacked like the 
others, but she did not sink\> as they did", under the violence 
of the disease. Thus, at the age of four years, she found 
herself an orphan, under the care of her aunts; and in the 
power of an uncle, who was the leading man in the settle- 
ment. 

When a little older, she occupied herself in rendering to 



116 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

her aunt, all those services of which she was capable. She 
ground the com ;. brought water and wood; for such, 
among these Indians, are the ordinary employments of fe- 
males. Any spare time, she spent, in the manufacture of 
little articles, in which she displayed extraordinary skill. 

By this means she avoided two rocks which might have 
been fatal to her innocence — idleness, which is the source 
of many vices ; and the extreme passion which Indians have 
for gossipping visits, and for showing themselves in public 
places, where they can display their finery. The young 
Teaghokuita had naturally a distaste for all vain display, 
but she could not oppose the persons who stood to her in 
the place of father and mother, and to please them, she 
had sometimes recourse to ornaments. But after she be- 
came a Christian, she looked back upon this as a sin, and 
expiated her compliance by severe penance, and almost 
continual tears. 

M. De Tracy, having been sent by the government to 
chastise the Iroquois, who had laid waste our colonies; car- 
ried the war into their country, and burned three villages 
of the Mohawks. This expedition spread terror among the 
Indians, and they acceded to the terms of peace which 
were offered them. Their deputies were well received by 
the French, and a peace concluded to the advantage of both 
nations. 

We availed ourself of this occasion, which seemed a favo- 
rable one, to send missionaries to the Iroquois. They had 
already some smattering of the Gospel which v had been 
preached to them by Father Joques, and particularly those 
of the Onontagues, among whom this Father had fixed his 
residence. It is well known that this missionary received 
there that recompense of martyrdom which well befitted 
his zeal. The labors of his two companions were crown- 
ed with the same holy death of martyrdom, and it is with- 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 117 

out doubt, to the blood of these first Apostles of the Iro- 
quois nation, that we must ascribe the blessings, which God 
poured out on the zeal of those, who succeeded them. 

Father Fremin, Father Brugas, and Father Pierron, 
who knew the language of the country, were chosen to 
accompany the Iroquois deputies. The missionaries hap- 
pened to arrive, at a time when these people are accustom- 
ed to plunge into all kinds of debauchery; hence they 
found no one in a fit state to receive them. This, how- 
ever, procured for the youug Teaghokuita the advantage 
of early knowing those, whom God sent to instruct her in 
the way of perfection. She was charged with the task of 
lodging the missionaries, and attending to their wants. The 
modesty and sweetness with which she acquitted herself of 
this duty, touched her new guests; while she, on her part, 
was struck with their affable manners, their regularity in 
prayer, and their daily pious exercises. God even then, 
disposed her to the grace of Baptism, which she would 
have requested, if the missionaries had remained longer in 
her village. 

The third day after their arrival they were sent for to 
Tionnontoquen, where their reception was to take place; 
it was very pompous. 

Teaghokuita being now marriageable, her relatives were 
anxious to find a husband for her; because, according to 
the custom of the country, the game which the husband 
kills in the chase, is appropriated to the benefit of his wife, 
and the other members of his family. But the young Ir- 
oquois had inclinations, very much opposed to the designs 
of her relations. She had a great love for purity, even be- 
fore she knew the excellence of this virtue, and anything 
which could in the least soil it, impressed her with horror. 
When, therefore, they proposed to establish her in life, she 
excused herself, under different pretexts; alleging, above 



1 18 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

ali, her extreme youth, and the little inclination she had 
for marriage. 

The relations seemed to approve of these reasons; but 
a little while after they resolved to betroth her, when she 
least expected it; and, without even allowing her a choice 
in the person to whom she was to be united. They, there- 
fore, cast their eyes upon a young- man, whose alliance ap- 
peared desirable, and made the proposition both to him 
and to the members of his family. The matter being set- 
tled on both sides, the young man, in the evening, entered 
the wigwam, which was destined for him, and seated him- 
self near her. It is thus that marriages are made among 
the Indians; and, although these heathens extend their li- 
centiousness to the greatest excess, yet is there no nation 
which in public, guards so scrupulously that outward de- 
corum, which is the attendant of perfect modesty. A 
young man would be forever dishonored, if he should stop 
to converse publicly with a young Woman. Whenever 
marriage is in question, the business is to be settled by the 
parents and the parties most interested, are not even per- 
mitted to meet. It is sufficient that they are talking of the 
marriage of a young Indian with a young woman, to force 
them to shun seeing each other. When the parents on 
both sides have agreed, the young man comes by night to 
the wigwam of his future spouse, and seats himself near 
her; which is the same as declaring, that he takes her tor 
his wife, and she takes him for her husband. Tegahkou- 
ita appeared utterly disconcerted, when she saw the young 
man seated by her side. She at first blushed, and then ri- 
sing abruptly*, went forth, indignantly, from the wigwam, 
nor would she return until the youn'g man left it. This 
firmness rendered her relatives outrageous. They consid- 
ered it an insult to them, and resolved not to be disap- 
pointed. They, therefore, attempted other stratagems; 



tolSSioSfS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. ll& 

\vhieh served only to show, more clearly, the firmness of 
their neice. 

Artifice not having proved successful, they had recourse 
to violence. They now treated her as a slave, obliging her 
to do everything painful and repulsive, and malignantly in- 
terpreting all her actions, even when most innocent I'hey 
reproached her, without ceasing, for want of attachment to 
her relations, and for stupidity. They 'attributed it to a 
secret hatred of the Iroquois nation, because she was her- 
self of the Algonquin race. In short, the;p omitted no 
means of shaking her constancy. 

The young girl suffered all this ill-treatment with un- 
wearied patience; and, without ever losing her equanimity 
of mind, or her natural sweetness, she rendered them all 
the service they required, with an attention and docility, 
beyond her years and strength. By degrees her Natives 
were softened, restored to her their kind feelings, and did 
not further molest her. 

At this very time, Father Jacques de LambeRville, 
was coud noted by Providence, t® the village of our young 
Iroquois, and received orders from his superiors to remain 
there, although it seemed most natural that he should go 
on to join Ms brother, who had charge of the mission to 
the Iroquois of Onnontague. Teaghokuita did not fail to 
be present at the instructions, and prayers, which took 
place every day in the chapel, but she did not dare to dis- 
close the design, which she had for a long time formed, of 
becoming a Christian. 

But at length, the occasion of declaring her desire pre- 
sented itself, when she least expected it. A wound which 
she had received in the foot^ detained her in the village) 
whilst the greater part of the women were in the field-, 
gathering the harvest of Indian corn. The missionary had 
selected this time to go his rounds, aud instruct at his leis* 



120 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

Tire, those who were remaining ii* the wigwams. He eo- 
tered that of Teachjokuita. Thi^ good girl, on seeing- 
him, was not able to restrain her joy. She at once opened 
her heart to bins, even in the presence of h«r companions; 
declaring the earnest desire- she had to be admitted into 
the Christian fold. She disclosed, also, the obstacles on the 
part of her family } and in this first conversation r showed great 
courage. The goodness of her temper, the vivacity of her 
spirit, her simplicity and candor, caused the' missionary to 
believe, that one day she would make great progress in vir- 
tue He therefore, applied himself particularly to- instruct 
her in the truths of Christianity; but he did not judge it 
proper to yield to her entreaties, for the grace- of Baptism 
should not be accorded to adults, particularly m this coun- 
try, but with great care, and after long probation* All the 
winter, therefore, was employed in her instruction, and in 
a rigid investigation of her conduct. 

It is surprising, that, notwithstanding the propensity 
these Indians have for slander, the missionary found none, 
that did not give high encomiums to the young catechu- 
men. Even those who had persecuted her most severely, 
were not backward in giving their testimony to her virtue. 
The Priest, therefore, no longer hesitated to administer to 
her holy Baptism, which she craved so earnestly . She re- 
ceived it on Easter Day, in the year 1676, and was named 
Catherine, and it is thus that I shall call her, in the rest 
of this letter. The only care of the young neophyte, was 
now to fulfil the engagements she had contracted. She 
did not wish to restrict herself to usual observances; for 
she felt that she was called to a more perfect life. Besides 
the public instructions, at which she was present punctual- 
ly, she requested particular directions for the regulation 
of her private aud hidden life. Her prayers, her devotions? 
and her penances, were arranged with the utmost exact- 



MISSIONS IS WESTERN SEW YORK. 121 

n*ss, ami she was so docile in herself, conforming to the 
plan of perfection, which had been marked out for her that, 
in a little time, she became a model of virtue. 

In this manner several months passed away very peacea- 
bly. Even her relations did not seem to disapprove of the 
new course of life, which she *was leading. But the Holy 
Spirit has warned us, that the faithful soul, which begins 
to unite itself to God, roust prepare for temptation: this 
was verified in the case of Catherine. Her extraordinary 
virtne drew upm her the persecutions, even of those who 
admired her. They looked upon a life so pure, as a tacit 
reproach to their own irregularities and with the design of 
discrediting it, they had recourse to divers artifices. But 
the confidence which the neophyte had in God, the dis- 
trict she felt of herself, her oonstancy in prayer, and that 
delicacy of conscience, which made her dread even the 
shadow of sin, gave her a perfect victory over the enemies 
of her innocence. 

The exactness with which Catherine observe! the festi-. 
val days in the chapel was the Cause of another storm. The 
chaplet recited by two choirs, is an exercise of holy clays * 
this kind of psalmody awakens the attention of the neo- 
phytes and animates their devotion. They execute the 
hymns and sacred canticles, which our Indians chant, with 
much exactness and harmony; for they have a fine ear, a 
good voice, and a rare taste for music. She never omitted 
tlrs exercise. But her relations took it ill, that on these days* 
she abstained from going to work, with the others, in the 
field. At length, they came to bitter words, cast upon her 
the reproach, that Christianity had made her effeminate, and 
nocustomed her to an indolent life. They did not even 
allow her anything to eat, to oblige her by means of famine,, 
to follow her relations and to aid in their labor. The neo- 
phyte bore, with constancy, their reproach and contempt; 



122 ttlSStOttS ifc WESTERN NEW tORlt; 

and preferred on those holy days, to do without nourish* 
ment, rather than violate the law, which required the obser- 
vance of festivals, or to omit the ordinary practices of piety ■. 
This firmness, which nothing could shake, irritated more 
and more her heathen relatives, Whenever she went to the 
chapel, they caused her to b£ followed by drunken people, 
or those who feigned drunkenness; so that, to avoid their 
insults, she was often obliged to take the most circuitous 
paths. Even the children pointed their ringers at her* and 
in derision called her ''The Christian." One day, when 
she had retired to her wigwam, a young man entered ab- 
ruptly, his eyes sparkling with rage, and a hatchet in his 
hand, which he raised as if to strike her. Perhaps he had 
no other design than to frighten her. But whatever might 
have been his intentions, Catherine contented herself with 
modestly bowing her head, without showing the least emo- 
tion. This intrepidity, so little expected, astonished him 
to such a degree, that he immediately took to flight, as if 
terrified by some invisible power. 

It was in such trials of her patience and piety, that 
Catherine spent the summer and autumn which followed 
her baptism. The winter brought her a little more tran- 
quillity. fStill she had to sutler from one of her aunts. 
This woman, who was deceitful and dangerous, could not 
endure the regular life of her niece, and therefore constantly 
condemned even her most innocent actions and words. It 
is a custom among these Indians, that uncles give the 
name of daughters to their nieces, and nieces reciprocally 
call their uncles by the name of father. It happened) how- 
ever, once or twice, that Catherine called the husband of 
her aunt by his proper name, and not by that of father; 
but it was entirely owing to mistake or want of thought. 
Yet the evil-minded aunt pretended to believe that this 
expression, which seemed too famib'* - was an evidence of 



MISSIONS IN WESTON NEW YORIv. 123 

criminal intimacy, and immediately went to seek the mis- 
sionary to decry Catherine to him. 

" Well] " she said, " so Catherine, whom you esteem 
virtuous, is, notwithstanding, a hypocrite who deceives you. 
Even in my presence, she solicited my husband to sin!" 

The missionary, who understood the ill-will of this 
woman, wished to know on what she founded an accusation 
of this kind, and having- learned what had given occasion 
to this odious suspicion, he administered to her a severe 
reprimand, and sent her away utterly confounded,. When 
he afterwards mentioned it to the neophyte, she answered 
him with a candor and confidence, which showed the ab- 
sence of all falsehood. It was on this occasion, that she 
declared— rw hat perhaps we should not have known, if she 
had not been placed on this trial— that, by the kindness of 
the Lord, she could not remember that she had ever sinned 
against purity, and that she did not fear any reproach on 
this point, at the Day of Judgment. 

It was sa 1 for Catherine, to have to sustain, so many 
conflicts, and to see her innoceuce incessantly exposed to 
the outrages and railleries of her countrywomen. She had 
also everything to fear in a country, where so few of the 
people, "had imbibed a taste for the maxims of the Gospel 
She, therefore, earnestly desired to be transplanted to some 
other mission, where she might serve God in peace and 
liberty. This was the subject of her most fervent prayers, 
and it was also the advice of the missionary; but it was 
not easy to bring it about. She was entirely in the power 
of an uncle, watchful of all her actions, and, through the, 
aversion which he had for Christians, incapable of appreci? 
ating her resolution. But God, who listens favorably even 
to the simple desires of those who place their trust in Him, 
disposed all things for the repose and consolation of the, ae* 



124 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

A colony of Iroquois, bad lately been formed among 
the French; the peace which existed between the two 
nations, gave these Indians an opportunity of coming to 
hunt on our lands. Many of them stopped near the prairie 
of the Madeleine, where the missionaries of our Society cou- 
Versed with them, on the necessity of salvation. These 
Indians were converted, renounced their country, and settled 
among us. They received baptism, after the usual instruc- 
tions and probation. 

The example and devotion of these new converts, drew 
to them many of their countrymen, and in a few years the 
Mission of St. Francis Xiokr dn Sanlt, (thus it was 
named,) became celebrated for tli3 great number of its neo- 
ophites, and their extraordinary fervor. If an Iroquois made 
(even a short visit to that mission, he seemed to lose all de- 
sire of returning to Ids own country. The charity of these 
neophites, led them even to divide, with the new comers, 
the fields which, with much labor, they had cleared. Their 
Christian feeling appeared to the greatest advantage, in their 
eagerness to instruct pagans in the truths of our faith. To 
this work they devoted entire days and even a portion of 
the night. Their conversations, full of unction and piety, 
made the most lively impression, on the hearts of their 
guests, and transformed them, so to speak, into different 
beings. He, who a little while before, thought but of 
blood and war, became mild, humble, teachable, and obe- 
dient to the most difficult maxims of religion. 

This zeal extended, not only to those who came to visit 
them, but also urged them to make excursions into other 
settlements, and they always returned accompanied by large 
numbers of their countrymen. On the very day that Cath- 
erine had received baptism, one of the most powerful of 
the Agniez, returned to the mission, in company with 
thirty of the Iroquois of that tribe, whom he had gained to 
Jesus Christ, 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. V25 

It was not until the following year, tiiat Catherine ob- 
tained the facilities she wished, for the execution of her 
design. Her adopted sister, had retired with her husband, 
to the Mission, Du SaulU The zeal of the recent converts, 
tin draw their relatives and friends to the new colony, in- 
spired her with the same thoughts, in regard to Catherine, 
and disclosing her designs to her husband, be gave his con- 
sent. He joined himself therefore to an Indian of Loretto, 
and some other neophytes, who travelled to the villages of 
the Iroquois, with the intention of engaging their acquaint- 
ances to follow them, and to share in the Messing* of their 
conversion. 

With difficulty he reached the. village in which Cath- 
erine lived, and informed her geeretSy of the object of his 
journey, and of his wife's desire, that she should be with 
her, at the Mission Du Sault. The neo.phite appeared 
transported with joy at this disclosure; he then warned her 
to hold herself in readiness, immediately on his return from 
his journey to the English. The unele was then absent, 
without having any suspicion of his niece's design, Cath- 
erine went immediately to take leave of the missionary, 
And to ask his recommendation to the Fathers, who direct- 
ed the Mission Du Sa«lt. The missionary could not with- 
hold his approval of tier resolution, and extorted her to 
•place her trust in dfod, giving her good counsels. 

As the journey of her brother-in-law was only a pretext, 
the better to conceal his design, he almost immediately re- 
turned to the village; and, the day after his arrival, departed 
with Catherine, and the Indian of Loretto, who kept him 
•company. It was soon discovered in the village, that the 
neophite had disappeared, and they had no -doubt, but that 
she had followed the two Indians. They immediately, 
-therefore, dispatched a runner to her uncle, to give him the 
news. The old chief foamed with rage at the intelligence, 



526 missions, 5N wes^ekx ix&yr tori*. 

and immediately loading his, gun with three balls, set ou\ 
in pursuit of tl^ose, who had a^compauied his niece. He 
made such haste, that in a very short time he canae up with 
them,. The two Indians, who well knew that he w^ould not 
fail to pursue them, had concealed the neophite in a thick 
wood, and had stopped, as if to take a little repose. The 
old man was very much astonished, at not finding his niece 
with them, and after a moments conversation, coming to. 
the conclusion tUat he had credited, too easily, the first 
minor which had been spread, retraced his footsteps to the 
village. Catherine regarded this sudtfen. retreat of her 
-uncle, as one effect of the protection of God which she en- 
joyed; and, continuing the route, arrived at the mission. Dw 
Sault, in the end of Autumn of the year 1677. 

She took up her abode with the family of her brother- 
in-law. The cabin belonged to one of the most fervept 
Christians in the place, named Anasiasia, whose care it 
was to instruct such of her own sex as aspired to the grace 
of Baptism. The zeal, with which she discharged her duty, 
in this employment, her conversation, and her example 
charmed Catherine. B.ut what edified her exceedingly',, 
was the piety of all the converts, composing this numerous 
mission. Above all, she was struck at seeing men becomo 
so different from what they were, when they Iked in their 
own country. She compared their exemplary life, with th*e> 
licentious course they had been accustomed to lead, and re- 
cognized the hand of God in so extraordinary a change; 
and thanked Him for having conducted her into this land 
of blessings. 

To, make a suitable return for such $ivors, she felt that 
she ought to give herself up to God, without reserve,, or 
thought of self. The chapel became, thenceforth, all her 
delight. She repaired thither at four o'clock in the morn- 
Usg» attended, the mass at dawn, of day, an,d afterwards. 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 12? 

assisted at that of the Indians, which was said at sunrise, 
During the course of the day she, from time to. time, broke 
oft' from her works, to go and hold communion with Jesus 
Christ, at the foot of the altar. In the evening she aorain 
returned to the Church, and did not leave it until the night 
was far advanced. When engaged in her prayers, she seem- 
ed entirely unconscious, of what was passing without, and, in 
a short time, the Holy Spirit raised her to so sublime a de- 
votion, that she often spent many hours in intimate com- 
munion with God. 

To this inclination for prayer, she joined an almost un- 
ceasing application to labor. She sustained herself, in her 
toils, by pious conversations, which she held with Anastasia 
that fervent Christian of whom I have already spoken, and 
with whom she bad formed a most intimate friendship. The 
topics, on which they most generally talked, were, the de-- 
liodit received in the service of Cod; the means of pleasing 
Him, and advancing in virtue; the horror we should have 
for sin; and the care with which we should expiate it, by 
penitence. She always ended the week, by an exact inves- 
tigation of her fauks and imperfections, that she might ef- 
face them by the Sacrament of penance, which she ap- 
proached every Saturday evening. For this, she prepared 
herself by different mortifications, with which she- afBicted 
her body, and when she accused herself of even the light- 
est faults, it was with such vivid feelings of compunction., 
that she shed tears, and her words were choked with sobs 
and sighs. The lofty idea she had of the majesty of 
God, made her regard the least offence with horror. 

Virtues so marked, did not permit me long, to refuse her 
the permission which she so earnestly desired, that on the 
approaching festival of Christmas, she might receive her 
first communion. This is a privilege, which is not granted 
to, those, who come to reside among the Iroquois, until after, 



128 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

some years of probation, and many trials: but the piety 
■of Catherine, placed her beyond the ordinary rules. She 
participated, for the first time in her life, in the holy Eu- 
charist, with a degree of fervor, proportioned to the rever- 
ence she had for this Sacrament, and the earnestness with 
which she had desired to receive it. And subsequently 
whenever she approached the holy Sacrament, it was al- 
ways with the same disposition. Then her deportment 
silone, inspired the most lukewarm with devotion, and, 
when a general communion was about to take place, the 
most virtuous neophytes strive, with emulation, to be near 
her, becau.se, said they "the sight alone of Catherine 
serves as an excellent preparation for communicating wor- 
thily." 

After the festival of Christmas, it being the proper season 
for the chase, she was not able to excuse herself from fol- 
1 .wing her sister and brother-in-law into the forests. She, 
■however, showed that one can serve God, ?n any place to 
which His providence -calls. She did not omit any of her 
ordinary pious exercises, while her fervor even suggested to 
her holy practices in place of those which were incompati- 
ble with a residence in the forests. There was a time set 
apart for everything. In the morning, she applied herself 
to her prayers, and concluded with those which the Indians 
make in common, according to their custom; and in the 
evening she repeated them again, continuing in prayer un- 
til the night was far advanced. While tbe Indians were 
taking their repast, to prepare themselves for the day's 
■chase, she retired to offer up her devotions. A little before 
the time when, at the mission, all were accustomed to hear 
mass, she fixed a cross <on the trunk <£ a tnae, at the side of 
a stream, and made this solitary spot her Oratory. There, 
she placed herself, in spirit at the foot -of the altar, united 
in spirit with the adorers before the altar; she prayed her 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. • 129 

Guardian Angel to be present for her, at that holy sacrifice, 
and to apply to her its benefits. The rest of the day she 
spent in laboring but to brinish all frivolous discourse, and 
preserve her union with God, she always introduced some 
religious conversation, or perhaps invited them to sing 
hymns or anthems, in praise of their Lord. Her repasts 
were very simple, and often she did not eit till night. At 
other times, she secretly mixed ashes with the food provided 
for her, to deprive it of everything which might afford plea- 
sure to» the ta?>te. This is a mortification, which she always 
practiced when she could do so without being seen. 

The sojourn in the forests was not agreabie to Catherine, 
although generally pleasant to the Indian women, because, 
freed from domestic cares, they pass their time in amuse- 
ments and feasting. She longed without ceasing to return 
to the village. The church, the presence of Jesus Christ 
in the august sacrifice of the mass, the frequent exhorta- 
tions, and the other exercises of the mission, of which she 
was deprived while engaged in the chase— these were for 
her the only objects of interest. She therefore formed the 
determination that, if she lived to return oiTce more to the 
mission, she would never leave it. She arrived there about 
Passion W«ek, and for the first time assisted at the ceremo- 
nies of those holy days. 

I shall not stop, my Rev. Father, to describe to you here, 
how deeply she was affected by a spectacle, so touching, as 
that of the sorrows and death of a God-man, for our salva- 
tion. She shed tears aimost continually, and formed a 
resolution to bear, for the rest of her days, in her own body, 
the cross of Jesus Christ. From that time she sought all 
occasions of mortification— -pei haps to expatiate those slight 
faults, which she regarded as outrages against the Divine 
Majesty; perhaps to trace in herself the image of a God cru- 
cified for love of us. The conversations of Anastasia, who 



130 MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW YORK. 

often talked with her of the pnins of hell - , and of the sever- 
ity which the saints exercised upon themselves, strengthened 
the desire she had for austerities. She found herself atao, 
animated to this course, by an accident which placed her in 
great danger of losing her life. She was cutting a tree in, 
the woods, which fell sooner than she expected; she had 
sufficient time, by drawing back, to sh,i\n the body of the 
tree, which would have crushed her by its fall; but she was 
not able to escape from one of the branches, which struck 
her violently on the head, and threw her senseless^o the 
ground. She recovered from her swoon, and those around 
heard her softly ejaculating, "I thank thee, Q good Jesus, 
for having succored me in this danger." She thought that 
God had preserved her, to give her time to expiate her sins, 
by repentance. This she declared to a companion, who felt 
herself, like C.vi mkrink, called to a life of austerity, and 
with whom so close was the intimacy, that each commune 
cated to the other the most seeret movements uf their 
innermost souls. This new association had indeed so much 
influence on the lite uf Caiukrine, that X cannot refrain 
from speaking *4" it. 

TiiiKK-iE, ibis pious Indian, had been baptised by Father 
BRuvAa, in the Iroquois country; but the licentiousness 
whieh prevailed among her people, and the evil example 
she always had before her eyes, caused her shortly to forget 
the vows of her baptism. Even a subsequent sojourn at 
the Mission, only produced a partial change in her life. A 
mo.st strange adventure, however, caused, at last, her con- 
version. 

She had gone with her husband and a young nephew to, 
the chase, near the river of the Outattuacks. Some other 
Indians joined them, forming a company of eleven persons, 
four men, and four women, with three children. T be res* 
was, the onlv Christian. The, snow, which j this year* was 



Missions in Western neW yoRS. 13 1 

Very late, prevented them from having any success in hunt- 
in ur; they soon consumed their provisions * and they were 
reduced to eat skins which they had brought with them to 
make moccasins; they even eat the moccasins; and finally, 
pressed by hunger^ they sustained life by herbs, and the 
hark of trees* In the mean time, the husband of Therese 
fell dangerously ill, and the hunters were obliged to halt* 
Two among- them, an Agniez and a Tsonnoutouan, asked 
leave of the party to make an excursion to some distance 
in search of game, promising to return, at the farthest, in 
ten days. The Agniez, indeed, returned at the time 
appointed; but he came alone, and reported that the Tson- 
noutouan had perished by famine and misery. They sus- 
pected him of having murdered his companion, and then 
fed upon his flesh; for, although he declared that he had 
not found any game, be was nevertheless in full strength 
and health. A lew days afterwards, the husband of Therese 
died, expressing, in his last moments, deep regret that he 
had not received baptism. The rest of the company then 
resumed their attempt to reach the banks of the river, and 
gain the French settlements. After two or three days' 
march, they became so enfeebled by want of nourishment, 
that they were not able to advance farther. Desperation 
then inspired them with a strange resolution, which Was to 
put some of their number to death, that the lives of the 
rest might be preserved. 

They therefore selected the wife of the Tsonnoutouan and 
her two children, who were thus in succession devoured. 
This spectacle terrified Thersse, for she had good reason 
to fear the same treatment. Then she reflected on the 
deplorable state of her conscience; she repented bitterly that 
she had entered the forest, without having first purified 
herself by a full confession; she asked pardon of vlod for" 
the disorders of her life, and promised to confess as soon as 



132 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

possible and do penance. Her prayer was heard, aud after 
incredible fatigues she reached the village with four others* 
who alone remained of the eleven. She fulfilled one part 
of her promise — she confessed soon after her return — but 
she was backward in reforming her life, and in doing 
penance. 

One day, while she was looking at the new Church then 
building at the Snuff, (after they had removed the Mission 
thither whish before had been at the prairie of the Made- 
leine ) she met with Catherine, who was also inspecting 
it. They saluted each other for the first time, and entering 
into conversation, Catherine asked her which portion of 
the Church was to be sot apart f«>r the females. Theresk 
pointed out the place which she thought would be appro? 
printed to them. < k Alas Y* answered Catherine, with a 
sigh, "it is not in this material temple that God most loves 
to dwell. It is within ourselves that lie wishes to take up 
His abode. Our hearts are the Temple which is most 
aoreeab'e to Him. But, miserable being that I am, how 
many times have I forced Him to abandon this heart in 
which He should reign alone! And do I not deserve that, 
to punish me for my ingratitude, they should forever ex- 
clude me from this temple, which they are raising to His 
glory \ n 

The humility of these seniments deeply touched the 
heart of Theresk. At the same time, she felt herself pressed 
by remorse, to fulfil what she had promised to the Lord; 
she thought that God hath directed to her this holy 
woman to support her, by counsel and example, in the new 
kind of life she wished to embrace. Therese therefore 
opened her heart to Catherine, on the holy desires with 
which God had inspired her; and, insensibly, the conversa- 
tion led them to disclose to each other their most secret 
thoughts. To converse with greater freedom, they sat down 



MTSST0N3 IN - WESTERN NEW YORK. 133 

at the foot of a cross erected on the banks of the River St. 
Lawrence. This first interview, which; revealed the uni- 
formity of their sentiments and inclinations, began to. 
strengthen the bonds of a holy friendship, which lasted 
even to the death of Catherine. From this time they were 
inseparable. They went together to. the- church, to the 
forest., and to their daily labor. They animated each 
other to the service of God by their reiigio-us conversations 
— they mutually communicated their pain* — they disclosed 
their faults; they encouraged each other to the- practice of 
austere virtues. 

It was thus that God prepared Catherine for a new con- 
test, which her love of celibacy obliged her to undergo. In- 
terested views inspired her sister, with the design of getting 
ber married,, she supposed that there was not a young 
man, then in the Mission dn Sault, who would not wish to 
marry so virtious a woman, and that thus, having the 
whole village from which to make her choice, she would be 
able to select for her brother-in-law, some able hunter, who- 
would bring abundance to the cabin. She- expected indeet 
to meet with difficultie son the part of Catherine ; for she- 
was not ignorant of the persecutions, this generous girl had 
already suffered, and the constancy with which she had 
sustained them ; but she persuaded herself that reason 
would finally vanquish opposition. She selected therefore 
her time, and, after havings shown Catherine, even more 
than usual affection she addressed her with that eloquence 
which is natural to these Indians, when they are engaged 
in anything that concerns their interest. 

" I must confess, my dear sister, said she, that we are 
under great obligations to the Lord for having brought you, 
as well as ourselves, from our unhappy country, and for 
having brought you to the Mission du Sault; where every 
thing is favorable to your piety. If you are rejoiced to be 



134 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW tORfc. 

here, I have no less satisfaction at having you With me. 
You every day indeed increase our pleasure, by the wisdom 
•of your conduct, which draws upon your general esteeiti 
approbation. There only remains one thing for you to do, 
to complete our happiness $ which is, to think seriously 
of establishing yourself by a good and judicious marriage. 
All the young girls among us take this course; you are of 
an age to act as they do, and you are bound to do so, even 
more particularly than others, either to shun the oceassions 
of sin, or to supply the necessities of life. It is true that it 
is a source of great pleasure to us, both to your brother-in- 
law, and myself, to furnish you, your wants; but you 
know that ha is in the decline of life, and that we have the 
•care of a large family. If you were to be deprived of us; 
to whom Could you have recourse? Think of these things 
Catherine; provide for yourself a refuge from the evils 
which accompany poverty." 

There was nothing which Catherine less expected than 
a proposition of this kind} but the kindness and respect 
which she felt for her sister, induced her to conceal her 
pain; and she contented herself with merely answering, that 
4ie thanked her for this advice, but the step was of great 
"<>nse([uence, and she would think of it seriously. It was 
thus that she warded off the first att;tck. She immediately 
vame to seek m<*, to complain of these importunate solieita-^ 
f .i >ns of her sister. As 1 did not appear to accede entirely 
to her reasoning, and, foi the purpose of proving her, dwelt 
on those considerations which ought to incline her to mar- 
riage, "Ah, my father," said she, " I am not any longer my 
own. I have given myself entirely to Jesus Christ, and it 
is not possible for me to change masters. The poverty 
with which I am threatened gives me no uneasiness. So 
little is requisite to supply the necessities of this wretched 
life, that nv labor can furnish this, and I Can alsvays find 



MI8SI0NS IN WESTERN NEW TORE. 135 

wme miserable rags to cover me. " I sent her away, say- 
ing that she should think well on the subject, for it was 
one which merited the most serious attention. 

Scarcely had she returned to the cabin, when her sister-, 
impatient to bring her over to her views, pressed her anew 
to end her wavering by forming an advantageous settle- 
ment. But finding from the reply of Catherine that it 
was useless to attempt to change her mind, she determined 
to enlist Anastasia in her interests; since they both 
regarded her as their mother. In this she was successful, 
Anastasia was readily induced to believe that Catherine 
had, too hastily, formed her resolution, and therefore em- 
ployed all that influence, which age and virtue gave her over 
the mind of the young girl, to persuade her that marriage 
was the step she ought. to take. 

This effort, however, had no greater success than the 
other; and Anastasia, who had always until that time 
found so much docility in Catherine, was extremely sur- 
prised at the little deference paid to her counsels; She even 
bitterly reproached her, and threatened to bring her com- 
plaints to me. Catherine anticipated her in this, and after 
having related how they made her suffer, to induce her to 
enter the state of marriage, she prayed me to aid her in 
consummating the sacrifice which she wished to make of 
herself to Jesus Christ; and to provide her a refuge from 
the opposition she had to undergo. I praised her design, 
but at the same time advised her to take yet three days, to 
deliberate on an affair of such importance, and, during that 
time, to offer up extraordinary prayers, that she might know 
the will of God; after which, if she still persisted in her 
resolution, I promised her to put an end to the importuni- 
ties of her relatives. She at first acquiesced in what I pro- 
posed, but in less than a quarter of an hour came back to 
ieek me, "It is settled," said she, as she came near me, 

H 



136 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

"it is not a question for deliberation; my part has long 
since been taken. No, my Father, I can have no other 
spouse but Jesus Christ." I thought that it would be wrong 
for me any longer to oppose a resolution which seemed to 
me inspired by the Holy Spirit, and therefore I exhorted 
her to perseverance, assuring her that I would undertake 
her defence against those who might thenceforth disturb 
her on that subject. This answer restored her former tran- 
quility of mind, and re-established in her soul that inward 
peace, which she preserved even to the end of life. 

Scarcely had she left me, when An astasia came to com- 
plain, in her turn, that Catherine would not listen to any 
advice, but followed only her own whims. She was run- 
ning on in this strain, when I said that I was acquainted 
with the cause of her dissatisfaction, and was astonished 
that a Christian, as old as she was, could disapprove of an 
action which merited the highest praise; and that if she 
had faith, she ought to know the value of a state so sublime 
as that of celibacy, which re n de-red feeble men like to the 
angels themselves, At these words, Anastasia seemed to 
be in a perfect dream; and as she possessed true devotion, 
she almost immediately began to turn the blame upon her- 
self. She admired the courage of this virtuous girl, and, 
at length, became the first to fortify her in the holy resolu- 
tion she had taken. Thus Go 1 turned these different con- 
tradictions, into good for his servant And it also furnished 
Catherine with a new motive to serve God with greater 
fervor. She therefore added new practices to her ordinary 
exercises of piety. Feeble as- she was, she redoubled her 
diligence in labor, her watchings, fastings, and other aus- 
terities. 

It was then the end of autumn* when the Indians are 
accustomed to form their parties, to hun-t during the winter. 
The sojourn, which Catherine had already made in the 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 13?' 

forest, and the pain she had suffered at being deprived of 
religious privileges, made her form the resolution that she 
would never more return to it. I thought, however, 
that the change of air and the diet, which is much, 
better in the forest, would restore her to health. It was for 
this reason that I advised her, to, follow the family and 
others, who went to the hunting grounds. She. answered 
me, in that deeply devotional manner which was so natural 
vto her: ''It is true, my Father, that my body is served, 
most luxuriously, in the forest; but the soul languishes 
there, and is not able to satisfy its hunger. On the con- 
trary, in the village the body suffers;; I am contented that 
it should be so, but the soul finds its delight in being near 
to Christ. Well,, then, I will willingly abandon, this miser- 
able body to hunger and suffering, provided fchat my soul 
may have its sweet nourishment." 

She remained, therefore, during the winter in the village, 
where she lived only on Indian corn, and w 7 as subjected 
indeed to much suffering. Eut, not content with allowing 
her body only this insipid food',, which could scarcely sus- 
tain it, she subjected it also to austerities and excessive pen- 
ances, without taking counsel of any one, persuading herself 
that while the object was mortification, she was right in 
giving herself wp to anything, that could increase her fervor.. 
She was incited to this by the noble examples of mortifica- 
tion,, which she always had before, her eyes. The spirit of 
penance reigned among the Christians at the Sault. Fast- 
ings, discipline, etc., were their most common austerities. 
A>n 1 some- of them„ by these voluntary macerations, pre- 
pared; themselves, when the time came, to sutler the most 
fearful torments for tl^eir religion. 

The war was once more rekindled between the French 
and the Iroquois; and the latter invited their countrymen, 
who were at the Mission du Sault, to return to their own, 



138 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW TOttfc 



country, where they promised them entire liberty, in the 
exercise of their religion. The refusal with which these 
offers were met, rendered them furious; and the Christian 
Indians who remained at the Sault, were immediately 
declared enemies of their nation; A parly of Iroquois sur- 
prised some of them, while hunting, and carried them away 
to their country, where they were burned at a slow fire. 
But these noble and faithful men, even in the midst of the 
most excruciating torments, preached jEsrjs Christ to , 
those who were torturing them 80 cruelly, and conjured 
them, as soon as possible, to embrace Christianity, to 
deliver themselves from eternal fire. One, in particular, 
among them, named Etiennr, signalized his constancy 
and faith. When environed by the" burning flame?} he did 
not cease to encourage his wife, who was suffering the 
same torture, to invoke with him the holy name of Jesus-. 
B#ig on the point of expiring, he rallied all his strength, 
and in imitation 1 of his Master, prayed the Lord with a loud 
v.»i,v, for the conversion of those, who had treated him wiih 
such inhumanity. Many of the savages, touched by a 
'•• so new to them, abandoned their country, and 
tame to the Mission du Sault, t" a>k for baptism, and live 
there, in accordance with the laws of the Gospel. 

Tli.- women were not behind their husbands, in the ardor 
they showed for a life of penance. They even went to such 
extremes, that, when it came to our knowledge, we were 
obliged to moderate their zeal. Besides the ordinary instru- 
ments of mortification, which they employed, they had a 
thousand new iavenions to inflict sutlering upon themselves* 

Although those, who inflicted these mortifications on 
themselves, were careful to conceal them from the knowb 
edge of the public; yet Catherine, who had a mind quick 
and penetrating, did not fail, from various appearances, to 
conjecture that ; which they held so secret, and as she 



MI8SI0N6 IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 13& 

studied every means to testify, more and more, her love to, 
Christ, she applied herself to examine everything that was 
done, pleasing to the Lord, that she might herself immedi- 
ately put it in practice. It was for this reason that, while 
passing some days at Montreal, where, for the first time she 
aaw the nuns, she was so charmed with their modesty and 
devotion, that she informed herself, most thoroughly, with 
regard to the manner in which these holy sisters lived, and 
the virtues which they practiced. Having learned that 
they were Christian virgins, who were consecrated to God, 
by a vow of perpetual continence, she gave me no peace 
until I had granted her permission, to make the same sac- 
rifice of herself, not by a simple resolution to guard her 
virginity, such as she had already made, but by an irrevo- 
cable engagement, which obliged her to belong to God, 
without any recall. I would not, however, give my con- 
sent to this step until I had well proved her, and been 
anew convinced that it was the Spirit of God, acting in 
this excellent girl, which had thus inspired her with a de- 
sign, of which there had never been an example, among the 
Indians. 

For this great event she chose the day, on which we cele- 
brate the Festival, of the Annunciation of the most holy 
Virgin, for whom she had a most tender devotion; praying 
her to present to her son the oblation of herself, which she 
had just made; after which she passed some hours, at the 
foot of the ajtar, in holy meditation and in perfect union 
with God, 

From that time Catherine seemed to be entirely di- 
vorced from the world. Her- aspirations were continual I v 
for heaven, where she had fixed all her desires. She 
seemed even to taste, in anticipation, the sweetness of the 
heavenly state ; hut her body was not sufficiently strong to 
sustain the weight of her austerities, and the constant 



\40 MISSIONS IX WESTERN NEW YORK. 

effort of her spirit, to maintain itself in the presence of God. 
She was at length siezed with a violent illuess from which 
she never entirely recovered. There always remained an 
affection of the stomach, accompanied by frequent vomiting 
and a slow fever, which undermined her constitution by 
degrees, and threw her into a weakness, which insensibly 
Wasted her away. It was, however, evident that her soul 
acquired new strength, in proportion as her body decayed. 
The nearer she approached the termination of her career, the 
' more did she shine forth in all virtues. But I need not 
Msop here to particularize them t<> you, except to mention a 
lew of those, which made the most impression, and were the 
iource and spring of all the others. 

She had a mosl tender love for God. Il>r only pleasure 
seemed to be t<> keep herself in contemplation of his majes- 
tv and mercy; to sing His praises, and continually to seek 
new ways of pleasing Him. It was principally to prevent 
distraction, that she so often withdrew into solitude* An- 
astasia and Therese were the only two Christians with 
Whom she wished much to associate; because they talked 
roost <>t" God, and their conversations breathed nothing but 
love. 

From thence arose the peculiar devotion, she had for the 
Holy Eucharist, and the passion of our Saviour. These 
two mysteries of tlielove'of the same God, concealed under 
the v.-il of the Eucharist, or dying on the cross, ceaselessly 
occupied her spirit, and kindled in her heart the purest 
rlames of love. Everyday she was seen to pass whole 
hours at the foot of the altar, immovable as if transported 
bevond herself, tier eyes often -explained the sentiments 
of her breast by the abundance of tears she shed; and in 
these tears -she found so great a delight, that she was, as it 
were, insensible to the most severe cold of winter. Often 
seeing her benumbed wiuh cold, I have seut her to the cabin 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 141 

to warm herself; she obeyed immediately, but, the mo- 
ment after, returned to the Church, and continued there in 
long communion with Jesus Christ. 

To keep alive her devotion for the mystery of our Sa- 
viour's Passion, and to have it always present to her mind, 
she carried on her breast a little crucifix. She often kissed 
it, with feeling's of the most tender compassion, for the suf- 
fering Jesus, and with the most vivid remembrance of the 
benefits of our redemption. One day, wishing particularly 
to honor Jesus Christ, in this double mystery of love, after 
having received the Holy Communion, she made a perpet- 
ual oblation of her soul to Jesus in the Eucharist, and of 
her body to Jesus attached to the Cross - ; and thenceforth 
she was ingenious to imagine every day, new ways of afflict- 
ing and crucifying her flesh. 

During the winter, while she was in the forest with her 
companions, she would follow them at a distance, taking off 
her shoes, and walking with her naked feet over the ice and 
snow. Having heard Anastasia say, that of all torments, 
that of fire was the most frigh'tfal, and that the constancy 
of the martyrs, who had suffered this torture, would T>e 
a great merit before the Lord; the following night she 
burned her feet and limbs with a hot brand, very much in 
the same way, that the Indians mark their slaves; persuad- 
ing herself that, by this action, she had declared herself the 
slave of her Saviour. At another time ishe strewed the -mat 
on which she slept, with llarge thorns, the points of which 
were very sharp, and alter the example of the holy and 
thrice happy Saint Louis de Gonza&ue, she rolled herself 
for three nights -in succession en these thorns, which caused 
her the most intense pain. In consequence her countenance 
was wasted and pale, which those around her attributed to 
her illness. But Therese, tfie companion whom she had 
takejs so much into her confidence, having discovered the 



142 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

reason of this extraordinary paleness, aroused her scruples 
}>y declaring that she might offend God, if she inflicted such 
austerities on herself without the permission of her confessor. 
Catherine, who trembled at the very appearance of sin, 
came immediately to find me, to confess her fault and de- 
mand pardon of God. I blamed her indiscretion, and direct- 
ed her to throw the thorns into the fire. She did so im- 
mediately, for she had an implicit submission to the judg- 
ment of those, who directed her conscience, and, enlightened 
as she was by that illumination, with which God favored 
her, she never manifested the least attachment to her own 
will. 

Her patience was the proof of her virtues. In the midst 
of her continual infirmities, she always preserved a peace 
and serenity of spirit, which charmed us. She never forgot 
herself, either by uttering a complaint, or giving the slightest 
sign of impatience. During the last two mouths of her life 
tier sufferings were extraordinary. She was obliged to remain, 
night and day, in the same position, and the least movement 
caused intense pain. .But when these pains were felt with 
the greatest severity, then she seemed most content, < 
fog herself happy, as she herself said, to live and to die on 
;he Cross, uniting her sufferings, to those of her Saviour. 

As she was full of faith, she had a high idea of every- 
thing relating to religion, and this inspired her with a par- 
ticular respect, for those whom God called to the holy min- 
istry. Her hope w; as firm, her love disinterested; serving 
God for His own sake, and influenced only by the desire to 
please Him. Jler devotion was tender, even to tears; her 
communion wUh God intimate and uninterrupted, never 
losing sight of him in all Her actions; this it was that raised 
her in so short a time, to so sublime a state of piety. 

Theve was nothing more remarkable in Catherine, than 
evangelical puritv, of which she was so jealous, and V(h.ic^ 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 143 

she preserved even to her latest breath. It was indeed a 
miracle of grace, that a young Iroquois should have had so 
stronrr an attachment to a virtue, so little known in her own 
country, and that she should have lived, in* such innocence 
of life, during twenty years, that she remained in the very 
midst of licentiousness. It was this love of purity which 
produced in her heart so tender an affection for the Queen 
of Virgins. Catherine could never speak of Our Lady 
but with transport. She had learned by heart her Litanies, 
and recited them all, particularly in evening, after the com- 
mon prayers of the cabin. She always carried with bera|p- 
sary, which she recited many times in the course of the day. 
The Saturdays, and other days which are particularly con- 
secrated to honor Mary, she devoted to extraordinary aus- 
terities, and devoted herself to the practical imitation of 
some of her virtues. She redoubled her fervor when they 
celebrated one of these Festivals, and she selected such holy 
days, to offer to God some new sacrifice, or to renew those 
which she had already made. 

It was to be expected, that so holy a life, would be fol- 
lowed by a most happy death. And so, it was in the last 
moments of her life, that she edified us most, by fhe prac- 
tice of her virtues and above all by her patience and union 
with God. She found herself very ill about the time 
when the men are accustomed to go out to the hunting 
grounds in the forest, and when the women are occupied, 
from morning until evening, in the fields. Those who are 
ill, are therefore obliged to remain alone, through the whole 
day, in their cabins, a plate of Indian coi : n, and a little water 
having, in the morning, been placed near their mat. It was 
in this abandonment, that Catherine; passed all the time of 
her last illness. But what would h,ave overwhelmed an* 
other person with sadness, contributed rather to increase her 
joy, by furnishing her with something to increase her merit, 



144 ifrSSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

Accustomed to commune aloue with. God, she turned this^ 
solitude to her profit, and made it serve to attach her more 
to her Creator, by her prayers and fervent meditations. 

Nevertheless, the time of her last struggle approached, 
and her strength, each day, diminished. She failed con- 
siderably, during the Tuesday of Holy Week, and [ there- 
fore thought it well to administer to her the Holy Commu- 
nion, which >!i" received with her usual feelings of devotion. 
I wished, also, at the same time, to give her Extreme 
Unction, but Rhe told me; that there was, as vet no pressing 
\ ; and, from wh.it she said, I thought I would defer 
it till the iwxt morning. The res! of that day, and the fol- 
lowing night, she passed in fervent communion with owr 
Lord. On Wednesday morning, she received Extrem 
tion, with the Bame feelings of devotion; and at three hours 
after mid-day, having pronounced the holy names of Jesus 
and Mary, a Blight Bpasm rani" on, when she entirely l<>-t 

the power of sj ch. As she preserved a perfect conscious- 

. ii to her last breath, I perceived that she was 
striving to perform inwardly all the acts which I suggested 
to her. After a short half-hour of agony, she peaceably 
expiredf as it' she wan only falling into a sweet sleep; 

Thus died Catherine TsAoiioKurfA, in the twenty-fourth 
iving fille 1 tli-' mission with the odor pf 
of her sanctity. Her countenance, which had been extreme- 
ly attenuated, by sickness an 1 eeestaul austerities, appeared 
so changed, and beautiful, some (moments after her death, 
that the Indians who wei i ot a Me to restrain 

the expressi »n of their astonishment, and declared, that a 
beam of that glory she had gone to possess, even then was 
reflected hack on her body. Two Frenchmen, who had 
come^Vom the prairie of the Madeleine, to assist in I 
vices of Thursday morning, seeing her extended on her mat 
with her countenance so fresh and sweet, said, one to the 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 145 

other, " See Low peaceably that young female sleeps." But 
they were very much surprised when they heard a moment 
after, that it was the body of Catherine who had just ex- 
pired. They immediately retraced their steps, and, casting 
themselves on their knees, at her feet, recommended them- 
selves to her prayers. They even wished to give a public 
evidence, of the veneration $hey had for the deceased, by as- 
sisting to make the coffin, which w T as to enclose these holy 
relics. 

I make use of this expression, my Reverend Father, with 
the greater confidence, because God did not delay to honor 
the memory of this virtuous girl, by a great number of mi- 
raculous cures, which took place after her death, and which 
still continue to take place daily through her intercession. 
This is a fact well known, not only to the Indians, but also 
to the French at Quebec and Montreal, w T ho often make pil- 
grimages to her' tomb, to fulfill their vows, or to return 
thanks for favors, which she has obtained for them. I 
could here relate to you, a great number of these miracu- 
lous cures, which have been attested by individuals the 
most enlightened, and whose probity is above suspicion ; 
but I will content myself with making you acquainted with 
the testimony of two persons, remarkable for virtue and 
merit, who having themselves proved the power of this 
sainted woman before God, felt they were bound to leave 
a public monument for posterity, to satisfy at the same 
time their piety and their gratitude. 

The first testimonial is that of M. De La Colombiere, 
Canon of the Cathedral of Quebec, Grand Vicar of the Di- 
ocese. He expresses himself in these terms: "Having 
been ill at Quebec, during the past year, from the month 
of January, even to the month of June, of a slow fever, 
against which all remedies had been tried in vain, and of a 
diarrhoea, which medicine could not cure, it was thought 



146 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YOKE. 

well that I should make a vow, in case it would plea*a 
God to relieve me from thw.se two maladies, to make a pil- 
grimage to the Mission of St. Francis \avier, to pray a,l 
the tomb of Catherine Teaqhokuita. On the very sam# 
day the fever ceasca, and the Diarrhoea having become bet- 
ter, 1 enibarKed some days afterwards to fulfill my vow. 
Scarcely had I accomplished one-third of mv journ&y when 
I found myself entirely cured. As my health is something 
useless, that I should not have dared to ask for it, if 
I had not felt myself obliged to do so, by d iference for the 
servants of the Lord, it is impossil > with- 

hold i : \\ God, in granting me this grace, had 

n.» oth.-r view than to maka known the credit, -which thi« 
excellent maiden had with Him. If, I would 

fear th ■ justly withholding the truth., ..u.'; refus- 

!ana la the gl >ry which is due to 
thom, it* 1 'ii.l not testify, as I have done, that I am a debt- 
or, for roy curei to thii Iroquis virgin. It is t" r tbi 
thai 1 I ition, with 

ment of gratitude of which I am capable, to inci 

- within my power, th< which is felt in 

■ 
imitaliug h--r \ i: : 

"Given at Yill: Uh 8< pt. 1( 

J. I '. 1. P. J. 

Cai I 'athedral of 

. id from M. D« Luth, < 'aptain in 
the Marine Corps, and Commander of Fort 1-Y »i I id .■■. It. 
is tin- ;s: "1, the suj nify to nUl 

wti'in it may concern, that having been tormented by the. 
gout, for the space of Iwenty-three years, and with such 
severe pains that it toe of three- 

months at a tame, 1 addressed myself to Catherine Tba(*- 
HOKUITA, an Iroquois virgin, decea&ed- at fclm> Sault S*.- 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 147 

Louis, in ihe reputation of sanctity; and I promised her to 
visit her tomb, if God should give me health through her 
intercession'. I have been so perfectly cured at the end of 
ofte novena, which I made in her honor, that, after five 
nronths, I have not perceived the slightest touch of my gout. 
Given at Fort Frontenac, this 15th day August, 1696. 

ic J . Du L.UTH, 

"Capt. of the Marine Corps, and Com. Fort Frontenac." 

I have thought that a narrative •of the virtues of this 

holy female, born thus iu the midst of heathenism and 

among savages, would serve to edify those, who, having 

been born in the bosom of Christianity, have also every 

possible aid for raising themselves to the height of holiness. 

I have the honor to be, etc. 



CHAPTER X . 

SSARLY INDIAN MISSIONS IN THE NOW DIOCESS OF BUFFALO. 

Though several 'books of the " Relations" are probably 
k>st, though to others little access can be had; yet, from 
many statements and frequent allusions, it would seem, that 
(he first Franciscan missionaries among the Hurons had, 
almost from the beginning, sown "the grain of mustard 
freed," among the nations dwelling in the western part of 
the now diocese of Buffalo. Of the Neutral Nation, many 
of whom dwelt on the Buffalo side of Niagara River, the 
old " Relations" say : 

'" The first village of the Neutral Nation which we 
reached, in going from the Hurons, is about four days' 
journey, in a southerly or south-easterly direction from 
where the celebrated river of that nation empties into Lake 
Ontarro. On the west, and not on the east side of that river, 



148 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

are most of the villages of the Neutral Nation. But there 
are three or four ou the east side, extending from east to 
west, towards the Erie or Cat Nation. This river is that, 
by which the great Lake of the Hurons, or fresh sea, emp- 
ties first into Lake Erie, and from thence enters the terri- 
»f the Neutral Nation, and takes the name of Niagara, 
(• Onquiaahra,') until il discharges into Lake Ontario. It 
again issues from the latter Lake, and passing before 
Quebec it is called the St. Lawrence.' 1 

The Franciscan Father Dallion, set out from the Huron 
Missions ou the l£th day of October, 1626, and. after 

passing five nights in th< \\ Is, arrived in the first village 

of the Neutral Nation. He wat well received, and. con- 
tinuing his course southwardly, passed through fifteen 
villages. In the sixteenth village the p.biefe assembled; 
Dai. 1. 1' to remain in their country, 

and teach them the knowledge of the true God. Bii 
was granted, and ratified with presents. 

He was aft [opted by the nation, and placed 

under the protection of the principal chief. He found the 
number of i twenty-four. The 

country, he describ I ingly beautiful; the climate 

npared to that of Quebec; the .country fertile, and 
abounding in deer, elk. : 

remainiug in the country three month-, explain- 
ing the sacred mysteries of faith to the ■ out the 
middle of January, 10-7. he was forced to return to the 
Huron Missions. 

Ten years afterwards; the Jesuit Fathers Rrobbbuv and 
Chumom again visited the Neuter Nation; a short detail 
of their sufferings and generous exertions among this people 
has already been given. In eighteen villages of the Neuter 
Nation lived about three thousand souls, to whom they 
preached the gospel. Their Breviaries, ink-horns aud 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW YORK. 149 

manuscripts, after some time, excited suspicions. The 
Fathers had to return. After undergoing incredible hard- 
ships, they safely reached the Huron Mission, where they 
rejoined their brethren, who had almost despaired of their 
return. 

About 1642, Father Jogues, the heroic martyr mission- 
ary, made the first opening for the gospel, in the eastern 
part of western New York. About the same time, as we 
learn from the following letter, in the Relations of 1644, 
blessed fruits of the former missions began to appear in the 
neighborhood of Buffalo. 

The "Relations" of the year 1644 give the following, as 
Chapter VI. 

"OF THE MISSION OF ANGELS AMONGST THE ATIOUENDAROUK, 
OR NEUTER NATION, 

" The fewness of our numbers renders it difficult for us 
to attend the nearer settlements, and we were obliged to 
discontinue the mission to the Neuter Nation, where, two 
years ago, we cast the first rays of the Gospel. Some 
Huron Christians have been, there, in our stead, perform- 
ing the duty of apostles, and, perhaps, up to this time, with 
as much success a3 if we had been there ourselves. 

"Stephen Totsri, from the mission of St. Joseph, having 
set out with a lay brother, for the frontier settlements, 
found the Indians well disposed, and so anxious to hear the 
truths of faith, that, with difficulty, could they find three or 
four hours of the night for sleep. They wore their beads 
around their necks, which caused much curiosity among 
these barbarians, who immediately asked them? to explain 
the reason of this wearing the beads. <It is,' said they, 
1 a mark that we recognize for our master, Him who made 
heaven and earth. He is invisible to us, although he fills 
the whole world with his presence ; he sustaius all things , 



150 MIS 810X8 IS WESTER!? NEW YORK. 

in the same manner that our souls sustain and invigorate 
the body; nevertheless be appears net lo our eyes.' They 
then went on explaining the principal mysteries of faith. 
]5ut that which had the most effect upon this people, was 
the fear of hell-fire, which the missionaries told thera was 
le, if they did not adore this Great Master of nature. 
1 \\ hy, then, 1 replied they, ' did your missionaries not con- 
tinue to instruct us? Why tell us the evils which await 
us, if you do d »t, at the Bam ■ time, aid U9 to escape from 
thera '.' 

"Barnabi . si it .nt. .-in excellent Christian, 

fr<»m the mission of St Michael, having penetrated far into 
the country, journ; and as he is a man of 

great authority amongst this people, his zeal did much t<> 
establish the faith, whil even more than 

h >we^ er, quarrelie I with him, 
art in their immorality. 
An 1 when tl ited to him that the yoke of faith 

was insupport i jing them to break off all iu< 

marks of fi i depri\ ing them of 

pleat* u i ; ,.-. 'if 1 km ■■■ a road leading 

-, I would 

go headlong, and would h ippy to die 

on that road. A ;• at any price. 1 

•* At length, wl d i to bap- 

tise his little girL l R said be, 'that 

v >u j b you will 

by baptism. \^ of the 

wicked, tempt you to do wrong, think I 
and if this is not sufficient to u you, think that 

that you could inflict on me, your father, 
is to commit a sin which w-«uld cause you to be separated 
for ever from me.' 

" Towards the end of the winter, a band of about on* 



MISSIONS IN WE8TEKN NEW V6RK. 15l 

hundred of the Neuter Nation, came to visit us 5n this 
country. They had seen the church of the Hurons, they 
were informed of the articles of our faith, from our Chris- 
tians, and they left, regretting that they could not reniaiu 
in such company. They even promised that distance 
should not hinder them from embracing the 'faith*; they 
also paid that we, having made sufficient impression upon 
the Hurons, should try to give the same chance to them. 
God willed that this seed should bear fruit, in its time. 

" Some Hurons, worthy of credit, who traffic year aftet 
year with the Algonquin nations, tell us that they have 
found Christians there, who kneel down like Us, join their 
hands and look towards heaven, pray to God, night and 
morning, and also before and after meals; and that the best 
mark of their Faith is, that they are no longer dishonest or 
wicked, as they once were. They call them'Ondontaonaher- 
onnon. These are people ahout a hundred leagues below 
Saguene towards the North, who having received instruction, 
the one from Tad osusac, the other, at the Three Rivers, where 
they came like birds of passage'; carry thence to their woods, 
their lakes, and their solitary mountains, the faith and fear 
of Go 1, which finds a sojourn everywhere.'' 

It would be impossible to say how extensive this early 
Christian movem-mt was, or how it influenced the vague, al- 
most Christian ideas that Often mingle with wild Indian 
traditions. The Q lapeaux. very lately located below Little 
Hock, in Arkansas, have many striking remembrances of 
this kind ; and it seems, that they were remnants of the Neu- 
tre or Cat Nation, that fled south from the victorious Iro- 
quoi*. 

Buoebeuf and Chaumont tell us, that in the very early 

time of the vi«it, to the Eighteen villages of the Neutral Na- 

tiuu: "The Seneeas lived but a days journey from the east- 

ermot-t vilrages of the Neutral Nation." Tliis must have 

I 



152 MISSIONS I» WBSTKRN NEW YORK. 

i>3en near L>ckporL A later Relation tells u* that the 

Senecas bad a village at Lew istown, on Niagara River, but 

this must have been nfW 1-643, when tho Senocas had 

completely vanquished the Neutral Nation. From that 

time, the Smeea villages extended westward beyond Buffalo, 

pyet the territory of' tho conquered Cat or Erie Nation; 

and eastward, till they met the ancient ones on or near 

•r. Justly then do the Relations, say: 

"Tin: wisdom of God which draws good from evil made 

the persecution of the Huron Church become most useful 

a number of savage Nations. Tho scattered Huron* 

/ to transport nil over Canada, [meaning Canada and 

i l "i !%,) lli«* light of faith, westward, as wo have 

"Th ■ goeat a\ ersion which.the [roquois hid, to the preach- 
ing of • moved by their Huron capi 
whom they I iptives knew 
midst of the barbarians. Not only 
did they ma. jion, but 
they a) Ivist, assem- 
bling i . to pray, and to perform all 

I, without tho as- 
i priest. 

I by the Iroquoi* 
last summer, and who was. sold by them, arid efterwardj 
irs illustrious wjtn - m and piety 

»f these In lians; be says that they exhorted him, by signs, 
to unite his Bufferings, with tho.-.*; which the Saviour endur- 
ed on t: : i that they waited on him rendering him 
all the assistance th y could, without any fear of 
exposing themselves to death. U- was edified by tho con- 
Stant examples of their admirable charity, patience, piety, 
and attachment to the true religion. 

The fruits of the zeal of these poor Ilurons, has extended 



MI88IONS IN WESTERN NEW- YORE*. lf>C 

■till further than the country of the IroquoR It is said- 
that even among the Cat Nation, five hundred leagues from- 
Quebec, a Huron preacher has caused- Jesus Christ to be 
known, and has established a church which is already flour- 
ishing. Many persons there, are • favorable to -the gospel. 
This fervent christian is sixty years old, he collected every 
Sunday all the faithful of his nation, he exhorts them to 
virtue, instructs them in our mysteries, and causes them to 
say their prayers, in the same manner, that he hacWbrmer- 
ly seen the Jesuits practice, at the time of his conversion.. 

The missions in the eastern part of this diocese- opened 
with still brighter prospects. The ''Relations,'" speak in high- 
est commendation of the country forming that eastern part. 
After describing Onondaga, theyt say :^ "Twenty or thirty 
leagues still further west, is the village- of the Oiog* 
uens (Cayugas,) composed of three hundred warriors; here 
we had a mission which founded a little church, filled with 
piety, in the midst of these barbarians, in the year 1657. 

Towards the end of the large Lake which is called On- 
tario, dwell the Sonontagans, (Senecas,) the most numerous 
of the five Nations -of- the Iroquois numbering about twelve 
hundred men. 

Their towns^lie- partly to the south and partly to the * 
West at a distance of one hundred; or a hundred and twen- 
ty leagues fromtthe French settlements. 

The land ; im general is very fertile, filled with -, beautifut" 
woods, which yield an abundance- of chesnuts and- walnuts; ; 
it is intersected" with lakes and rivers* which abound with 
fish. 

The climate is temperate;; the seasons as* regular as in •■ 
France, and the land in many places,, capable of producing,; 
all the fruits which are produced in B*$6$e*ice or Turin, 

The snows are neither deep nop lasting; the three winters 
we have passe-di among the. Iroquois,. Jiave been mild,.iu. 



134 MISSION'S IN WE8TBKN NEW YORK. 

comparison to the winters m Quebec, where the snow is 
l.bree or four feet deep, covering the ground for rive months 
in the year. 

It was tow;rnh these vfHages, that the footsteps of Fathers 
Uhaumont and M«nard were in 1656, directed, leathers 
Mknakd and ClfAUaoHl left Onondaga towards the close of 
August, 16o6, for die residence of the Cayugas, whither 
they arrived in two Says*, going wmtwird. Mksahd re* 
inained there, and I 'u»i most proceeded westward, on t lie 
rii-^t visit of a Jesuit to the Stfuecas. 

At the time of Obai mont's v ; ^ : t. the Ponecns inhabited 
that U'v.put'"! and fertile region immediately enst of the 
r ; \ ••!-, e .s I. ikti < >!it;irio on the 

North, and the tftrritorre* of th - on the Kast. TheV 

l : \<;d in fqui principal village*; on*; of the largest was ait iv 
sted on tin' commanding eminence south of \" i«-t * » r. The 
liumdrou* graves and Indian remains found in this locality, 
attest tli.> magnitude of th.- nneieut village. 

other principal town was situated in the great lend 
<of the H outlet; th" place is known by the name of 

Plains, In tip- Seneca language, Ho»M»ydya 
means "thebeud.*' The third village lay on the weat 
1 lii-nos-hah-gotii, or Mud Creek, at the 
>;\>^'v « Road about live miles North* 

w.^t of Cauandaigua. The fonrth village was neai a soring 
which forma of t h ♦- little < onesus, about three 

miles - Tliey were all destroyed in the 

expedition of 0a Xo.wiii.k against the Senecas in 1687. 

••'I'll.' levelling plough "t" the white man, and the wasting 
Irand of time, baVe I less than twoj'eiitunrs, 

Obliterated most of the traces of theve, once flourishing 
towns, which sustained a pouplxtitn of Itaore than 
t]mu>and persona, In respect to the existence of th" fir*i 
three vHhige*, the evidences «ere so i>v»h and abundant, ut 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 1&5 

the first advent of the settler, that no great difficulty ha*, 
been experienced in identifying their position. 

"The location of the fourth, was pointed out on a map of 
the Genesee country, by a Seneca chief, residing on th,«- 
Tonawanda reservation. Although he had not visited the 
site for more than forty years, he was positive as to the coi> 
reotness of the tradition, fixing the locality. 

" In order to test his accuracy, the place lie had indicated 
was recently visited, and his statements fully verified. The 
village had been built m a quiet and secluded valley, almost- 
entirely shut m, by hills of moderate elevation. A copious 
spring, from which a small stream Sowed 5 ,, had supplied il 
with water. On one side of the stream, a broad and leveii 
plateau, had afforded a commodious site for the village. On, 
the surface of this plateau, there have been ploughed up, 
from time to time, quantities of hatchets, beads, broken 
pottery, and other indubitable evidences of' Indian oecu-. 
pancy. 

" Higher up the side of the valley, ir>, the- edge t#the for- 
est, small hillocks and other signs were found,, indicating 
the last resting place of the Indian. Impressed perhaps 
with the sanctity of the«s£ofc;, or, it may be, with the ap<- 
propriateness of the loea&ion^the first settler ehose it also, for 
his burial place; and the remains of the early pioneers amis 
their descendants, have been laid side by side, and their 
dust has commingled, with that of the sachems and war- 
riors of the proudest and fiercest, tribe of the* Iroquois con r . 
fed e racy. v — O. H. Marshall. 

When the Jesuit arrived at Gnnnagoro, on Boughtoiv 
Hill, the chiefs assembled? in. council; to receive him, and; 
hear his message.. 

He told them, the- object of his mission. The desire of" 
the F reach* tp.ferra a firm? treaty of peaee and alliance; an4 



•150 MISSIONS IN WK8TKRN NEW YORK. 

the intention of the Jesuits, to establish a mission among 
them. The usual presents were delivered. 

u In addition to these presents," said the Jesuit, " I offer 
" myself, as a guauante ■ o( the truths which I utter. And 
11 if my life is deemed insufficient, L oiler you, in addition, 

II the lives of all the French 1 have left at Onondaga. Do 
'* you distrust these living presents? Will you be so simple, 

- to believe, that wo have left our native country, the 
u finest in the wodd, to come so \'.w, and to suffer so many 
•■ privations in order to bring you a lie ." 

Thrilling was the effect of this address, CriAUMONT was 

indeed home up by Heavenly stengfh, for ho had risea 

'•'p.m a si liver bis address, and a few days after, 

surrounded by bis companions, who, in dejection, 

awaited Id He was however spared. Full 

of coui i- nee in St, P( ter, ho invoked the aid of the Prince 

his couch, in health, 
..'•in- deal i I live all those around 11111)." 

The Indiana Ciiaumont's appeal; and 

mn delibei . re ►Ived t > r- 

insti ucted in 

lit was followed from the council 

the i hief, n a rthout deli 

ttrikiog proof ..♦" ti.- ;■ which the missionary** 

. t <v .-in Indian m . Iv moved, 

1 lowed; but the most 

Lniportanl . . >at chief of the tribe, the 

invalid ANNovniNR.r ;. V Find baptiz- 

•1 b) C&aumont, his fan h was rewarded by the sudden 

nwn A a cancer, that had baffled all art. 

The Jesuit visited the other villages with similar success, 

III one of which he found the principal sachem of the nation 

i-no-ga-i da-wi) bed-ridden with disease. He converted 



MISSI0N8 IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 157 

him to the faith, and this distinguished chief, having sub- 
sequently recovered, became a powerful friend of the French 
and Jesuits. The name which he bore, and by which the 
French always mentioned him, is the title of a Sachemship, 
still preserved among the Senecas, and belongs to a chief 
now residing among the Tonawandas. 

Before the Hurons were dispersed by the Iroquois, a 
little church had been formed by the Jesuits, in one of the 
Huron villages, upon which they had conferred the name 
of St. Michael. To save themselves from entire destruction, 
those composing this church, threw themselves upon the 
generosity of their conquerors, and were adopted, as a body, 
into the tribe of the Senecas. 

On the banks of the Chi-nos-hah-geh (near the present 
Cnnandaigua) in the third village we have described, these 
exiles from their country, found a home among their captors. 
The name of their church, St. Michael, was transferred to 
this village by the Jesuits, and here, if we may credit their 
statements, among the surrounding practices of a pagan 
superstition, they preserved, in purity and faith, the doctrines 
of the church, unto which they -had been baptized. 

Here all thronged around the old companion of Broe- 
■beuf and Daniel. Not one pagan now held back from 
baptism, not oae believing Christian 'from confession; now, 
through misfortune, not one was unconverted. To be thus 
able to minister to these poor exiles was, in itself, a reward 
for the toils of the missionary; but his. joy was dashed by 
the loss of the faithful Le Mc-fne, who sank in death, on 
the beautiful shores of Lake Taohero, rejoicing that it was 
given him to die on the 'land of tl>e Iroquois, in the work 
of the gospel. 

In these villages were found captives of the Neutral and . 
Tol-acco Nations, (many of whom became Christians,) 
living in harmony with the H-urons, under the r>rotecfcien <€ 
the Senecas, 



158 MISSION'S IN" WESTERN NEW YORE. 

While Father Chavmonot was visiting the Senecas, Mk»- 
xard, whom he had left at Cayuga, had not been idle. He 
art conciliated the favor of the people, that, in four days 
after his arrival among them, they commenced the construc- 
tion of a chapel, which was completed in two days, and 
carpeted with mats, woven with rushes, from the Montezuma 
marshes, Hon- he displayed the symbols of christian faith, 
mid the pictures of the Saviour, and the Virgin. A crowd 
of wondering savages thronged around him, and from 
morning until night, the devoted Jesuit explained to them 
(he mysteries of his religion. But, after a while Meskajrd, 
who had been welc >ra i I by the chiefs* was treated coldly by 
the tribe, and so little regarded, that ho never appeared 
without being attacked l>v the children, To the day of hi* 
death, man;. . amid t ; !" forests of Upper Michi- 

gan, he bore the spars, with which these tormentors covered 
bw face. S t, however, the simple guilessness of the 

Father won the hearts of these savages, and, when he had 
', his chapel wax rill >d with admiring and 
listening crowds. <>:i its wall of mats, beside tie- altar, 
hung picture* iord and his Blessed Mother, aiei 

explaining these , the missionary told the history of <>ur 
redemption, ' the children changed, and became 

his helpers in the missions, leading him to the cabins <>f the 
sick, and giving him ti. of all, which before some 

had studiously concealed. 

The Iroquois women, already moved by the virtues of 
the Huron female captives, were the first converts f#ey 
brought their babes to receive baptism; they followed the 
instructions; and in, almost every cabin, could he found an 
Indian mother, teaching wayward children to lisp a prayer, 
to Jesus and Mary. 

Meskaro meanwhile, was now rapidly acquiring the 
Cayuga dialect, under the instructions of an excellent 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 159 

familv, in whose cabin he was a guest. His mission was 
advancing, his chapel was crowded with catechumens; 
however, he baptized few adults, and seldom but in case of 
danger. The first admitted to the sacrament was an old 
man on his death-bed ; the second, once a prominent chief, 
now a cripple, eaten up by a cancer; whose conversion 
seemed due to the martyred Broebeuf and Lalemand. 
At their capture he had been struck by their appearance, 
and bought them with wampum ; yet was he unable to 
save them, for his belts were returned, and the missionaries 
put to death. His conversion gave great influence to 
religion; for his authority always stood very high in the 
canton : and indeed all protection was needed by Mesnard, 
who was on several occasions threatened with death. 

After a stay of two months, he was recalled to Onon- 
daga; but his converts were inconsolable, and he was soon 
restored to their entreaties, and renewel hi-; mission with 
greater success than ever. Everything promised complete 
success. 

But in Cayuga and among the Senecaa, as in Onondaga, 
political artifices, which aroused suspicion and armed the 
pagan Indians against the missionaries, were, for a time, 
successful. Many martyrs watered, with their blood, the 
shores of Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. But, as at Onondaga, 
so, it is believed, at Cayuga, and in the Seneca country, 
converted chieftains and devoted Christians kept up " the 
prayer, until God again lulled the storm, and sent other 
missionaries to continue the blessed work. Nor was the 
martyr-laud entirely abandoned by the Jesuit priest. Father 
Le Moyne, at least, is found at his holy work, until another 
intrepid band of missionaries, recommenced their apostolic 
labors. 

The « Relation" of 1660 says: "Not to. speak of the 
tipper Iroquois, among whom many missionaries might be 



160 MISSIONS IN WESTKRN NEW YORK. 

employed, if the lower Iroquois were humbled and brought 
to duty — we have been invited for some years by the 
inhabitants of the village of St. Michael's (near Canandai- 
gua,) who are good Hurons, formerly instructed by our 
fathers in their own land. It is a vineyard that formerly 
brought forth good fruit for Paradise, and which still 
brings forth good fruit, but 'in patience.'" Another rela- 
tion tells U9 of the heroic and Christian death of an Indian 
of the " Loup Nation." Amidst the most horrid torments, 
burn-' without groan or murmur, be related that, in hi« 
youth, he had heard the Huron captives speak of their 
Christian religion, and believed in it. This was the germ 
of that precious grace, which, long years after, made him a 
baptised Christian, before I the scaffold of 

are. 

A Cairo] G New York, in the following 

ihowfl how he deceived, and was deceived, whilst ho 
persecuted the Church <>!' his Fathers, in order to secure 
Iiriti-h supremacy, which «\ lost ! 

»N THK STATE OF THE 
. INCLUDING HIS TAIN 

CHAR : HIM. 

****** 

Tip- five 'Indian Nations are the most warlike people in 
a bulwark between us and the French 
snd all other Indians. They as the South Sea, 

the North W t Pa la, to warr. New Eng- 

land, in lee- lasi war with the Indians, would have been 
mined, had fcot Sir Edmunb Andros sent some of tho<-e 
Nation* to : :e. And indeed they are so con- 

le, that all thf» Indians in the^e parts of America are 
Trihutareys t" tie in. i puffer no Christians to converse 
x\ ith them, any where, but at Albany, and that not without 
my licence. ****** 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW TORE. 161 

If therefore bis Majesty were pleased to have a line run 
from 41° 40' in Delaware River, lo the Falls upon the Sus- 
quehanna, and to let Mr. Penn keep all b^low that, it 
would be sufficient for him, the hounds below it being 
conjectured to contain more than all England. 

To preserve the Beaver and Peltry trade for this and 
Albany, and to be an encouragement to our beaver hunters, 
] desire I may have order to erect a Fort, upon Delaware, 
in 41° 40'; another upon the Susquehana, where his Ma- 
jesty shall think fit, that Mr. Penn's bounds should termin- 
ate. And another at Oneigra, (Niagara), near the Great 
Lake, in the way where our people goe a Beaver hunting, 
or trading; or anywhere else where I shall think conven- 
ient; it being very necessary for the support of trade, main- 
taining a correspondence with the further Indians, and in 
securing our right to the country; the French making a 
pretence of owning as far as the Bay of Mexico, for which 
they have no other argument, than that they have had pos- 
session this twenty years, by their Fathers living so long 
among the Indians. They have Fathers still among the 
Five Nations aforementioned, viz: the Mohawks, the Sinicaes, 
Cayouges, Oneides, and Onondagues, and have converted 
many of them to the Christian Faith, and doe their utmost 
to draw them to Canada, where there are already six or 
seven hundred, and more are like to goe, to the great pre- 
judice of this Government, if not prevented. I have done 
my endeavors, and have gone so far in it, that I have pre- 
vailed with the Indians to consent to come back from Can- 
ada, on condition that I procure for them a piece of land 
called Serachtague, lying upon Hudson's river, about forty 
miles above Albany, and there furnish them with Priests. 

"Thereupon, and upon a petition of the people of Albany 
to mee, setting forth the reasonableness and conveniency of 
granting to the Indians their requests, I have procured the 



162 MISSIONS IK WKSTERM NEW YORK. 

Unci for them, altho' it hid boon formerly patented t.» tha 
people at Albany, and have promise! the Indians that 
they shall have priests, and thai I will build them a ebureh; 
und have assured th-* people of Albany, that I would ad- 
dles to hi* Majesty and t-» your Lordships, that care may 
bee taken to send "\c-r at first, five or my priests, it being a 
matter of great consequence. These Indians bare about 
ten or twelve castles, (as they term them.) and those at a 
jrrc-ot distance, one from another, so that there is an libsrn 
hue in esM \ of having so many priests, that there bee 
three, always travelling from Castle to Castle, and the r*>t 
to live with those that are Christians. 

"By that mean* the French priests will be obliged to retks 
lo Canada, whereby the Krencli will be divested of their 
• to th* country, and th i I enjoy that tiude 

without anj fear ■ ».rted." 

'J'!i<- I • . mid only s 

in cliai . .v ay, whom God had sent. The British 

iameot i»f Km dan I, many distinguished 
•Hnl Kealous Protestants, all combined to aid the Indian 
Missions, J re built in the Iroquois 

country, No priei •,:. The unhappy Dongai 

could not have bis proi • linhed. B 

ministers were sent; n >me fi >tu Albany, occasionally 
tii- In liana, u bo no n g >t tired hs their 

lid of them. The Rev. W'm. An dkews, settled 
among the [ndians; : but after six yeaiaof lab >yr, toil, and 
disappointment he left tl 

making them better. Heat are. and Heathen* 

they still must be." Clark, Onon daga, Vol. L p. -13. 

The u Relations*tellusthat the fugitive Ob rjstiau Huron* 
went, some to St, fcjfrhaels, among the Senecas; some to 
the Islands north of Lake Huron; some to Lake Michilli- 
makinac, whence, pursued still by the Iroquois, they entered 



MISSIONS IK WESTERN NEW YORE. 163 

a the bay of Puant," and advanced six days march south 
west of Lake Superior, and were received by a nation called 
Abimiwee; they settled on the borders of a great river, as 
broad and as deep as the St. Lawrence. They afterwards 
removed to ' Pointe St. Esprit," on a bay soittli of Lake 
Superior, where Father Allouez first, then Father Mak- 
quktte became their pastors: with Father Marquette, they 
finally '< returned to Miehillmacinac, and founded the Mie- 
»ion of St. Ignatius which subsist? to our time." Huron* 
from this post subsequently established themselves at San- 
dusky, Detroit, and Sandwich. The most unhappy of the 
rfurons, were those who sought refuge with the Cat or 
Krie Nation, on the Southern Shore of Lake Erie. The 
Erie or Cat Nation, says Father Ragueneau, speak the 
Mine language as the Hurons, and have fixed habitations." 
The refuge they gave to the Hurons provoked a war with 
the Iroquois. The Eries were defeated, and, together with 
the Hurons, almost all slaughtered. The most happy were 
those who went to the French colony near Quebec, after 
many migrations, they formed the^'Old Lore! to mission," 
which finally transfered to "the new or youncr Loretto," sub- 
sists in all Christian faith and practice to this day. See 
Relations Abreges, by R^v. P. F. J. Brsssani, S. J., A p. x. 

Catherine Ganneaktenck, the hostess of Bkuyas, at 
Oneida, where she, a girl of the Erie nation, had been 
rsdopted, was instructed by Father Rakfaix, and Cath- 
erine was requested by him, to begin at La Prairie, in Can- 
ada, a New Reduction. Joined by most of her family, she, 
on their conversion, came from Loretto, and founded the 
firxt Iroquois Reduction, about the close. of 1669, 'under the 
name of F. Xavier des Pres. 

The Relations of 1661, writing of the dark period between 
1658 and 1661, says: 

"About four hundred league* from here, the Angels 



164 MISSIONS IN WESTERN SEW YORK. 

beheld with admiration a poor fugitive church, which sought 
some asylum after the Huron disaster, in which it lost every- 
thing Du t its Faith. A brave old man, was the pastor of 
this wandering band; he led them far away, across the for- 
ests towards an infidel Nation, named Kignerounous ; beyond 
the Tfeach of the Iroquois. This Moses, the conductor of 
this little flock, performed here all the functions of a Curate, 
with care, lit to excite the admiration even of A nereis, who 
beheld a savage, perform the functions of missionary, of 
bishop, and- of universal pastor of his church, lie. 
bled them every Sunday, taught them their prayers, instruct- 
ed them in their catechism; some he reproached, others he 
encouraged with kind words, according to their wants; but 
with a z.-al, to which God gave such authority, that theso 
piod j :<> him \\ ith simplicity, and 

him, the faults that they had committed during the week, as 
they had been accustomed to confess i" their Pri< its, before 
the Iroquois hid beaten and killed the shepherds, and dis- 
persed the flock. Thus tie- cruel enemy of the Faith, did 
iid our progress. , We found many other wonders in 

nil til.--- j r elm .-ith which God softened 

the pains of I . and the sweetness of devotion, with 

which he seasoned theii i them almost to 

triumph in Bufferings. 

But, although our enemies, on all side, endeavored to 
hinder us from reaping fruit- I to ripe, we have 

not let tins year p*ss, without attending to our missions in 
the four parts of this new world, a . rywhere to 

ftoek our wandering To the South, Father Simon 

Lk Moynet has gone towards these same Iroquoi*, to crim- 
son with his blood, those lands, which have already been 
bathed with Jesuit labor and blood. To the West, Father 
Reni Menard is more than three hundred leagues distant 
from here, either dead or alive ; for it is two years since he 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 165 

aet out on his mission, and we have no news from him ; it 
is likely- that he has been immolated. 

The coming spring, that is in 1662, we hope to effect 
much good with the Iroquois chiefs; in at least two grand 
Missions; that of the Ouontagues, in which Father Le 
Moyne had employed his winter, in advance; and that of 
the Sounoutouaerounous, Senecas, which will give us many 
settlements to cultivate; and, above all that of St. Michael 
which is composed of Huron christians, who brought their 
faith with their colony to the conquerors, after the destruc- 
tion of the old Huron mission. These two missions nlone 
require more missionaries than we have here; were it pos- 
gible^that we could divide ourselves, be assured that we 
would be found, at the same time, in different places, this 
being impossible. We aid one-an-other in accomplishing 
this great work. 

The Relation of 1662 has the following notice "Of 
the winter spent by Father Le Moyne, among the Upper 
Iroquois/' (That is the Cayugas and Senecas.) 

''Behold here a mission of blood and fire; of labors and 
of tears; of captives and of Barbarians. It is a country 
where the earth is still red with the blood of the French, 
where the stakes yet stand covered with their ashes; where 
those who have survived their cruelty, bear its fatal marks 
on their feet and hands; their toes cut off and their finger 
nails torn out; and where, in fine, Father Simon Le Moyne 
has been, for one year, to soothe the sighs of this afflicted 
church, and to take part like a good pastor in all the mis- 
fortunes of his dear flock. 

He was occupied chiefly, during the winter, with three 
churches, one French, one Huron and one Iroquois; he pre- 
served the piety among the French captives, aud became him- 
self the sole depositary of all their afflictions; he re-established 
the Huron Church, formerly so flourishing, in their own 



JOO MIS8IONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

country; he laid the foundation of the Iroquois church, 
going from place to place, to baptise the children and the 
dying, and to instruct those who, in the midst of barbarian- 
ism, were not far from the Kingdom of God. 

A little chapel, formed of branches and bark, was the 
*anctuary where God received, every day, the adoration of 
of those who composed these three churches. Here the 
French assemble 1, each morning, half an hour before da\- 
lijfht. to assist at tlie aU£UBt sacrifice of the Mass; and every 
evening, to recite, in common, the rosary; and often tut-» 
during the d iv. io fjeeV consolation from (rod in their mis- 
fortunes; joining their mangled hands, and lifting tliem to 
lu-aren, they prayed for those who had thus maltypted 
them. 

The Eroqu m of Cavd<ra, who are leas oruel, and whom 
we halve found more affectionate, were moved with compas* 
Mull lit our danger and, in order io saw the Father, invited 
him to come and innti'nct them until thi* danger- should 
pass. The Father was rejoiced at the offer, more for the 
nahation of the kind barbarians, than for his own safety, and 
went to serve tin in. for Kome week*. 

ll<- w with public acclamations, and fouud suf- 

ficient field for ihe < liK* zeal* The lancet of a 

young breach aBrgeon, who accompanied him, an 1 who^e 
» k . 1 1 God wonoWfnlly blessed, during a dangerous ami in* 
lections d-iseafti, aided the good muse; for many, alivady 
n>paied o\\ wefe cured. This gained the favor of the 
people, and <»p» ned the doors of every cabin to ihe bather, 
who found the Indians in the best pcWible disposition. 

One An hole month scarcely sufficed to baptise all the 
children, Bud to console a great Hirtmber of Huron OathoJ 
b'es, in whom a sad captivity of fifteen oV twenty yearn hud 
not destroyed the faith. They v^re living temples of God, 
in tlie cabins of llrtrtr masters , n.u ually aiding each uiber, 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORTC. 16? 

and sanctifying by praise and prayer the woods and fields 
around, in which Jesus Christ had not before received 
hommige. "What joy for this little band, so well disposed* 
to receive again a pastor, in the good Father Le Moyne ! 
The mute language of the eyes, spoke more than the tongue 
could say, in this happy moment. Nor could the Father 
refrain from tears of joy and compassion, seeing these poor 
Christians weeping with devotion! Certainly, such tears 
from the eyes of savages, are sufficient to dry the tears, 
and sweeten all the !abors of those, "who go in search of the 
poor lost sheep. But the Father was obliged to leave this 
consoling mission, and return to Onnontage, where Gara- 
kontie, (under whose protection Were the French captives,) 
having returned from Montreal, and having published the 
kind reception he had received, gave an entertainment to 
the good Father, making him presents, which consist of 
some pumpkins — which make a veyy delicious food-, when 
bread is wanting, and when, as generally, the missionaries 
make but one meal a day of a little saggomet, composed of 
pure wate» j whitened with a little Indian meal : for such was 
the ordinary diet of this good Father. Garakontie did not 
cease to load Father Le Moyne with presents; among 
others, he gave a necklace made by the hands of the Ursu- 
line Nuns of Quebec, decorated with ornaments which 
please and delight these people, most especially when they 
are told that it is the work of nuns, who had crossed th6 
ocean expressly to instruct their little daughters, and that 
they wait in Quebec for Indian girls to be sent there; and 
that all who went there would see other holy women, who 
would receive them, w T hen sick, in a large Hospital, where 
the sick receive all care and attendance, such as the 
sick Indians had lately received in the Hospital of Montreal-. 
This is what we have learned of the labors of the Father, 
from some savages, who, at the close of the winter, came to 



168 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

see us, and who promised to return here in the summer 
with all their French captives, as a pledge of the sincerity 
with which they desired to he united with us. 

By such generous aspirations did the Christian mission- 
aries requite the unjust suspicions and the barbarous cruel- 
ty, which now clouded their hopes. Jesuit priests, how- 
ever, still, either free or as captives, watched over the 
afflicted Church. Father Jerome Lalemand, from 1059 
to ]062, tells us that Father Le Moyne wintered in the 
country of the superior Iroquois (Senecas, Cayugns,) and 
relates the cruelties of the Iroquois towards the French, the 
torture of prisoners, and the persecutions of the Christians 
and the Church, 

The Relations of 1667, Bay "Father James Fremin and 

Fathei Pikhron, are ready for the mission of the Ague 

of the Iroquois and Father James Bruyae for the 

Onnecout. And three other fathers, arc all ready for the 

Onontag yas and Sonontagans (Senecas) 

r Nations of the Iroquois, as soon as the deputies of 

nations arrive here for them, as they have already 

promi 

The three fathers above mentioned having received the 
Hon of Bishop I'kikik: each burning with zeal for 
ration of the Iroquoissel out, from Quebec, during 
the month of last July, with the ambassador of the Agno 
and Onnecout tribes. Having arrived at Fort St. Ann, 
they were surprised by a body of between fifty and Bixty 
Indians, that we call, the Wolf nation, they were in am- 
bush, in the lake, waiting to fall upon them. 

This was a sad drawback, for those who wished for no- 
thing more than to reach their cities, to plant the faith on 
the land already crimsoned by the blood of the first of our 
fathers, who had there been most cruelly tormented, or 
massacred. 



MISSIONS lNvWgESTpRNvNEWvYOBK Si ibVi 

Thev were obliged to remain in this fort, for one month, 
until the enemy scattered. 

As yet we haVe learned nothing rasore of them; but if 
God blesses this undertaking, we. will go to rebuild the Huron , 
and Iroquois Churches, which we had already raised long be- 
fore, and we will have nathing nov^to do, but to, reap the 
fruit of our former labors for the instruction^ of these, poor 
barbarians. 

These are some of the new, missions, which ope&themselres 
on all sides, north,, south, east and west We : pray God 
that He will assist us and send some noble, souls, and make 
them worthy to live in such labors, and even to die amidst 
the flames, and tortures of the Jroquois. 

This is the only, attraction, that, I present- to apostolic 
men, who may come, to this new. world, to. shed their tears, 
and their blood, for the salvation of so many poor.. souls, for 
which, Jesus Christ shed his blood and laid down his life. 

During these last years we have received quite an increase.. 
of chosen men, whose state in France was considerable; but 
who, in Canada, lead a life, hidden amongst the, woods, the 
locks, and the snows; ever in hunger and fatigue ; often suf- 
fering the loss of i their strength ; : and yet feeling now, more 
consolation iu one day, than they, received before in a. 
year. 

Sweet is their joy in a happy privation of nearly all com.-, 
forts, when thinking of these words of the Apostle :.'' You ; 
are dead to the world, and your life, is .hidden, with Christ 
in God." 

Another ''Relation*' sa3~s: Father. Stephen De Carheil and 
father Peter Miu.et, who as we have, seen were waiting to 
enter the Iroquois missions, set out to begin their labors and 
cares. The Cayugas are quick to acknowledge any act of 
kindness. We have had good proof .of this; during the ten . 
years we were with them,; and the late father Mesnarlv 
who was there pastor, was always praising their docility/' 



}70 SIMMONS 5N WESfrfclrlN NEW YORK. 

The Fattier built them *<chapel in the middle of their 
littio city which they continue to frequent with much affec- 
tion, and this last summer the Indian, with whom we had 
lived, and some of his neighbors, r,et out on their journey 
to seek our Fathers, and to lre<x o( them to re-establish the 
Faith, which we had already planted there. We satisfied 
their demands by sending Father Df Carheil, to erect this 
church composed of some Iroquois and a great many 
Huron*. 

But their fear of the enemy elrliged them to divide 
themselves, and a portion «>(' them to go and live on tho 
Northern shores of the Great Lake Ontario. This detach- 
ment of Oioquens, Cayugas, or rather, this new colony, had 
need of Pastors to confirm them in the Faith; this was 
worthily done bv Mk. Dfi FfeNEI.ON and Mi;. TroUVB, two 

fervent Missionaries, \vho were Bent thither bv the Bishop. 
But as it was Late in tfie summer, when these two Fathers 
went, they have not as yet been able t<> send us any account 
from these ne'w ehan 

It is more than a year since anything has be^n heard of 
Father ALtotBZ, who i> now almost two years with the 
A gonquin chiefs, and who travels with them in tho large 
forests, that ban five bur. died leagues from Quebec. 

Perhaps, overcome by the extreme fatigues of bis mission, 
he has followed Father Rene Mii'SNARD, his predecessor, to 
heaven. 

Father Estiekne De Carhiel arrived at Cayuga on the 
r3th of November, 1668, and there presented to Heaven, as 
the first fruits of his labors, a female slave of the Andastes. 
He had come in her Company from Onondarra, and this 
journey, which they made toov'ther, enabled her to proceed, 
on her way joyfully, to Paradise; for having been instructed 
and baptized, during this journey, of two days, as soon as 
she had arrived at Cayuga, she was burned and eaten by 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 2f3 

these barbarians, on the Gth of November. Father Gar- 
niek accompanied Father Carheil on this mission. They 
were very assidious in their labors. A chapel was soorj 
erected; many were invited to the Faith, and a goodly num- 
ber joyfully accepted the invitation. The mission was again 
dedicated to God under the invocation of' Saint Joseph. 
[Without knowing this, taro hundred 1 yearn after, the first 
Bishop of Buffalo, obtained from His Holiness, Pope Pius. 
IX., that St. Joseph should be the principal Patron Saint 
of the diocese..] The mission was ably conducted, and for 
a long time the church was truly prosperous, Besides the 
village of Cayuga which is the seat of his mission, there are 
two others; one, four leagues distant, and the other, nearly 
six. The two last are situated i*pon a liver, which coming 
from the side of the Andastoque^ descend^ at four leagues 
distant, from Onondaga, on its way to empty into Lake 
Ontario. The great quantity of rushes bordering this river,. 
(Seneca) has given the name of Thiohero, to the village 
' nearest to Cayuga. The people of these great villages are 
composed in part of C'ayu?gas, Hurons, and Andastes; the 
two latter being captives of the- Iroquois. It is there that 
the Father exercises his zeal, at>d asks companions to assist 
him in his apostolic labors. 

The great chief G-arakontie. exercised great influence at 
'this new mission, as well as at Onondaga- and' Oneida. He 
encouraged the new converts by exhortations, and strength- 
ened the bands of the missionaries by his zeal and perse- 
verance in faith. 

Father De Carhiej*. wrote, on the day of St. Catherine, 
that assuredly this great Saint interceded for him, and for 
his poor barbarians, who came in considerable numbers on 
that day to learn to pray, and to be instructed : " It was 
on that day," added he, " that I asked of this great Saii4 
that she would obtain for me, to speak in the same mannex, 



i72 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 



that she had formerly spoken, so as to overcome the teach- 
ing's of the Idolaterous philosophers." From that time the 
'chapel has increased, and has never been wanting in visitors 
who come to pray. 

When the Father first arrived there were very few men 
who would come to his instructions, as they were occupied 
for the most part, either in fishing, or in the chase; but the 
report of the approach of an army of the Andastoqui 

turn, and gave the Father an opportunity 
• ;at many. The report, which 

was spread, that the enemy to the number of three hun- 
dred men were coming tu attack the Cayugas, proved false. 
But it did much for the misssionary Father, by proving to 
the [roouoia how much he loved them, and how little he 
thought of hia own lit'", by remaining each night with those 
who kepi watch. Those who thought that he bad partici- 
i u. 1 in the general fear were un leceived. Their warriors, 
their captain*, and theSr ancients, in a public feast, sjave 
svidence of the esteem which they bad for the Father. 
: knew bow to profit bj this occasion, going 
in. ,; Know my brethren,*' said he, "that 
as, do not fear death. Why 3I1011H we fear! 
:. we honor Him Him. and we 

r death of being eternally happy with Him in 
It is you, my brethren, who ought to fear death 7 
for up to the present time, you have neither known or loved 
i v) |. |fou have yed Him, and 1 1 ^ will punish 

Vou, it" you die without loving Him, and without keeping 
His commands, and being baptized." Being invited by a 
little child into a cabin, "where there were assembled a! out 
^twenty warriors, be addressed them tints: "I am rejoiced, 
my brethren, to find myself in the same danger that you 
are in. Be assured that I do not fear death, and that I 
•'.voukl 'much rather die, than to see you die, without 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORE. 173 

receiving baptism." He announced to them, that, on the 
next day, the day as they thought of the battle, they would 
see him go fearlessly among the wounded, to baptize those, 
who would be disposed, by a firm belief in our mysteries, 
and a true sorrow for their sins, to receive it. 

These warriors showed by their actions that they were 
well pleased with these remarks, and although this turned 
out to be only a panic, it did not cease to have all its effects 
for the. good of the faith. This church soon commenced 
to mutliply. It counted amongst its faithful, not only chil- 
dren, and women, but likewise warriors, who are, by fa*T 
the most numerous. The same Relation speaks of the mis- 
sion of St. Michael in the country of the Senecas: "This, 
of all the Iroquois nations in which we have been, is the 
most distant from us ; being the least frequently seen by us, 
it is called the superior Iroquois. It is reckoned from us, 
about one hundred and eighty leagues. This country gives 
us the greatest hope of a successful mission, which has 
obliged Father Jaques Fremin, Superior of all the Iroquois 
missions, to go there to establish a ne'^ church. We have 
known this through the letters of other missionaries, he 
having set out from Mohawk, on the 1 3th of October, 1668, 
He visited other missions on nis way, and on the 1st of No- 
vember, arrived at the Seneca country, wliere he was re- 
ceived with all the honors rendered to Ambassadors Extra- 
ordinary. We have learned also lhat the chiefs have built a 
chapel, and that every one has shown an inclination towards 
Christianity. Upwards of sixty persons were baptized with- 
in four months. Thirty-three are supposed t3 be enjoying 
a blissful Heaven by a happy death. The "Jongleurs," in 
many instances, interposed, so that it was difficult to keep 
up an interest, in proportion to the merit of the work. Cay- 
uga, we have named St. Joseph; Thiohero, St. Stephen; and 
Onontare, St. Rene. 

I 



174 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

Father Fremin, also, set out, on the 10th October 1669, 
for the Seneca country. In three weeks, he was in the 
Villages of the Western tribes, lleceived roost honorably, 
he built a chapel, and began his- labours by baptizing chil- 
dren, and hearing confessions. 

At Cayuga, Father Carhkil reduced the Cayuga lan- 
guage to roots or radical words, and composed his valuable 
works on the Huron and Cayuga languages. The Villages 
Goiogouen, Kiohero and Onnentare, were under his care, 
In all ho found Hurons, some of them Christians and eager 
to profit by hi.- Ministry. Gradually bis Church began to 
increase in numbers, and sachems, warriors, women and 
children attended bis catechism classes, and disputed for 
his little prizes. Baptisms of adults began to reward and 
I thru he waa attacked by serious illness, 
and obliged to return to Canada in 1671. Father Petbr 
; him ;it Cayuga. 

The Reverend father Rapfaix, who %s as a missionary, 
e country, as it was in 1670, 16J1, in the fol- 
terms : — •• I >untry 1 hat 

seen in A rica; it is situated in latitude r-'-j s , the needle 

dips ti. y more than ten degrees, it lies between 

two lakes, and is no more than four leagues wide, almost 
continuous plains, and the timber on their borders is rery 
fine. * * * * * - : More Lbau a thousand d< 
annually killed in the Deis ' Eja. Fishing, 

as well of the salmon as of the eel and other fish, is as 
abundant, as at Onondaga. Four leagues distance from 
Lore, on the brink of a river, i. saw within a small compass, 
eight or ten very fine Salt Springs. It is there that num- 
bers of nets are spread to catch pigeons; seven or eight 
hundred are often caught in one haul of a net. Lake Tio- 
hero, which adjoins our village, is fourteen leagues long by 
one or two wide, it abounds with swans and geese. All 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 1*75 

winter and in spring, nothing is seen but continual clouds 
of all sorts of game. The river Choiquen, which rises in 
this lake, soon branches into several canals, surrounded by 
prairies, with occasionally very line and pretty deep bays, 
where wild fowl Hock. I find the inhabitants of Cayuga 
more docile and less fierce than the Onondagas and the 
Oneidas. ****** They reckon over three 
hundred warriors, and a prodigious swarm of children. 
Relation 1671, 1672, p. 75. De Carheil, after finding 
human skill unavailing, had recourse to God, and made a 
pilgrimage to the celebrated shrine of St. Ann, and obtained 
his cure. He immediately returned to Cayuga, and Raf- 
faix proceeded to the Senecas. Soon after the celebrated 
Chief Saonchiowagan became a Christian, and was baptized. 
But in 1684, De Carfieil was plundered of everything by 
the Chief Horchouasse, and driven from the Mission. 

One of the Seneca towns, Gandougara, or St. Michael's, 
was composed of II urous, Neutrals and Onnontiogas. ]\\ 
1669 Father Garnier went to Gandachiragou ; and Father 
Fremin remained at Gandougara. In both places- Mass 
was said daily. The Village Gandougara or St. Michaels 
was burnt, the Missionary lost his Chapel, and all it con- 
tained ; but the zeal of the Christians repaired all; a new 
Chapel was buili ; prayers were now said publicly morning 
aud evening in all the towns; the Christians firmly refused 
all participation in superstitious rites; and and many whom 
pride had kept from professing Christianity, began to yield. 
The Sachems of Gandachiragou publicly professed their 
wish to pray; but the rumor of a French invasion, and 
slanders against the faith, retarded the blessed movement. 

Father Raffaix reached the Seneca Mission of the Con- 
ception in July, 1671. A third town, named St. James, 
contained several Christians, who anxiously r begged a mis- 
sionary. Father John Pie rron, was sent to it, thus the 



170 MISSIONS IN WESTERS NEW YORK. 

Seneca canton possessed three Missionaries. By their holy 
eeal, piety soon flourished in these towns, and the Seneca 
Mission, was ?< arcely inferior to the reductions founded on 
the hanks of Lhe St Lawrence. Conversions of adults, how- 
ever, went slowly on, being contested at every step by the 
Medicine Men. Father Garnier was accused of sorcery, 
and as accusation and condemnation were nearly pynony- 

mons, tli-y determined to tomahawk him. Tl xecu- 

tioner was named and paid, but God averted the blow. 

The French occupation of Niagara by La S\lle, in 
1678,and I ' ility to Fathei Garn*er, contributed to 
n the influence of the Missionaries, and excite the dis- 
trust of i!i" French. 

In 1075, i!>' Senecas burnl the quarters (lodgements) 

which La Sallk had built two leagues above the great falls 

ilia 1668. The French marched against them, 

1 them, and again took formal possession of the 

country in the Dame i ch King. 

1. \ 9 \i.i s laid • I on our western 

lakes, at the m ail ' 14 miles below Buf- 

falo, and -i\ mill - shove Ni ■ ■. The place selected 

by La Salle for build i«g this Pio l, Griffou," con- 

tinued I to be u- -I for b ii Is or boats, 

and continues to be familiarly known In the name of the 
0! 1 Ship Yard. The "Griffon" was launched in the Spring 
of 107:'. Father Hk.vmivin was there. She sailed on her 
voyage up the lake, on the 7th of August, 107!J. 

At the close of 107-. F. Hennepin started from Niagara, 
over the snmvs, and, after five day's march, reached Tega- 
rondies, a large Village of the Fonnontouns, Sececas and 
Iroquois, 32 leagues eastward from Niagara. The day 
after. 1st January, 1G7Q, u After the ordinary service, (the 
Holy Mass of course,) he preached in a little chapel made 



MISSIONS IX WESTERN KEW YORK. 1 77 

of the bark of trees. Father Garnier and Reffaix, Jesuits, 
were present." 

Father Hennepin speaks of his "voyages," east and west 
of the "Falls" and says: " In all these comings and goings, 
I liad always my portable Chapel on my shoulders, of 
course the Holy Mass was then said east and west of Buffalo. 
'•The twenty-sixth, the keel of the vessel, and the other 
pieces being ready, M. La Salle sent Master Moses, Car- 
penter, to beg me to drive the first bolt. My humble re- 
ligious profession forced me to refuse the honor. He then 
promised ten Lovis t/'or, for this first bolt, to excite the 
Master Carpenter to hurry on the vessel During all the 
winter, which is not half so severe here as in Canada, I 
had a cabin to myself to celebrate the Divine Office on Sun- 
days and Festivals. Many of our people understood the 
Gregorian notes, others could sing by ear." The Iroquois 
threatened to burn the vessel; some workmen wished to quit 
a hard service and go to New York; the evil was prevented 
by the prudence and zeal of Hennepin; "these unhappy 
men would have debauched our workmen were it not for 
the exhortations that I made every Sunday and Festival, 
showdng that our enterprise was solely for the glory of God, 
and the success of Christian Colonies." 

11 Our vessel was soon ready to launch, and after having 
blessed it according to the Roman Rite, we launched it, 
though not quite finished, to save it from being burned, as 
had been menaced. The vessel was called the Griffon, allud- 
ing to the arms of Count Frontenac, two Griffons as sup- 
port. The cannon saluted thrice, and we sung "Te Deum." 
Father Hennepin had much to discourage him; but he per- 
severed, trusting in God. He ascended Niagara river, 
sounded the shoals-, and found that he had been misinform- 
ed, when the savages assured him, that there was not 
water enough, to float' his great vessel of sixty tons into 
the Lake . 



178 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

Father Hennepin went to Fort Frontenac, be returned 
with Fathers Gabriel and Zenobius, also Recollects, "they 
arrived at the mouth of the river of the Tsonnontouans 
which pours into Lake Ontario, they readied a little cahin 
in which to celebrate the Divine Office." Hence they could 
not reach Niagara before the 30th of July — and, in a frail 
caaof, reach the Griffon than at anchor above Slack Rock. 

HENNEPIN started from Fort Frontenac, the 18tli Nov., 

1687, in a "Brigantine of ten tons burden." Sieur La 

commanded. On the feast of St. Nicholas, they en- 

tered the Niagara River, u In which never had such a vessel 

I." They sung the "Te Deum." The Iroquois, 

Tsonnontouans, Senecas, of all the little village at the en- 

of tin- riv«r, took more than three hundred fine fish 

and presented them to the strangers. They left their boat, 

and ascend«Ki to the mouth of Cayuga Creek, shovelled off 

: foot deep, t<> make their fires; returned the 

next -lav towards the moulh of the river, meeting a great 

quantity of w ild deer an I turkeys. On the I Mb Dec., 1087, 

ited n!'- first Mi» that was evei said there. La 

Motte returned to Canada; Hennepin steered the boat up 

to the Kails of N iagara. 

On the Ttli August, 1679, tic- Griffon, with three Francis- 
can Priests aboard, passed before what i* how Buffalo; in 
_ 'hey fired their seven cannons, and then Bung the 
*Te Deum." Indians lined the shores; others who were on 
aboard joined with them, all crie 1 — " liaunorin," tl Admir- 
able." 

When the Relations close, Idolatry was generally discoun- 
tenanced throughout the Cantons by the Indians, now fully 
instructed in the mysteries of the faith, but generally not 
courageous enough to embrace it. The life of the Mission- 
r some time had been perilous, yet they had built 
an 1 maintained their Chapels, and worked on patiently in 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 179 

hope; gradually gaining all, who were not corrupted by de- 
bauchery and intoxication; and baptizing all dying children 
whom they could reach. Now a new obstacle, the war be- 
tween England and France, impeded all progress. In the 
ambitious strife for the Indian country, the Indian Missions 
were sacrificed. Still Father Raffaix labored among the 
Cayugas and Senecas till 1680, when he had to leave, and 
died in Quebec in 1703, broken down with years and. toil. 
In the Spring of 1687, by the departure of Father John 
De Lamberville, the mission of the French was closed. 
The Governor of New York had long schemed and plotted 
for this. The treachery of the French Governor of Canada, 
hastened what the English had long been preparing. 

In 16S7, 14th July, the Marquis of Denonville routed 
the Senecas, cut down the corn around their four greatest 
villages, destroyed "about 400,000 bushels of Indian 
corn," killed "a vast quantity of hogs." The French esti- 
mated the number of Senecas at " fourteen or fifteen 
thousand souls." Formal possession was taken of the 
villages of " Totiakton, Gannagaro, Ganandota and Gan- 
nongarae; and a fort was established at a league's distance 
from the said village of Gannagaro." 

On the last of July, 1687, the Marquis executed another 
act by which he took formal possession of Fort Niagara, 
"west of the Senecas, and twenty five leagues above them." 
In the act he recounts; "the taking possession of the said 
Fort Niagara, several establishments having been formerly 
made there, many years since, by the King's order, and es- 
pecially by the Sieur La Salle having spent several 
years, two leagues above the great Falls of Niagara, where 
lie had a bark built, of which the stocks are still to be seen. 
We have resolved to construct a fort there, in which we 
placed one hundred men of the King's troops to garrison the 
same, under the command of Sieur De Troyes." Doc. His. 



180 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

After the peace of Rysack, in 1697, mis-ionaries again 
hastened to Cayuga and Seneca. In 1702, Fathers James 
De Lamberville, Julius Garnier and M. Le Val- 
liant renewed their labors among the Cayugas and Sene- 
cas. Fathers Jambs D'Heu, ami, Peter De Marceuil 
joined the others and labored till 1703, when, "The English 
sent Abraham Schuyler with four Dutchmen and some 
Englishmen, to Bing the war song in the villages, and to 
present the hatchet to the Nations, on the part of the Queen 
of England." 

Schufler cunningly induced Fathers De Lamberville 
and Marceuil, to quit the village of Onontague, and then 
ejigaged some drunken rndians to fire ihe Catholic chapel, 
u which he first caused to be pillaged." Doc. His. of N. Y. 
IX. 829. 

Father D'Heu, who was then at Seneca, was also urged 
to fly. Later, "Sieur De Joncairb assured me that forty 
Senecae ing down, who were bringing with them 

Father D'Hi rj." I ' [ro [uois not being able 

to resist the powerful solicitations of n flek, had 

all finally declared in their ?' a ■ 

On the 31st Oct., 17 1", V vndriecl \\ rites to Paris: "Si -ur 
Ghai viqniere, arrives from the [roquoii*, where he 
bad been well received by tl tes and Cayugas, 

nor of Manathe could say." 

11. "His Majest) has ap- 
proved of yp.ur having; Joincaire to the 
Senecas. . . Hh Majesty has also approved of your 
having, ■ ith >1. Hocquart, sent Sieur Rigau- 
ville to Niagara, to command that pos 

In 1731 a mutiny occurred at Niagara; some lay 
brothel's of the Franciscan order, aided the mutineers to 
escape; the Supe - - mtenanced their misplaced 
chiriiv. 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 181 

Letters in Doc. Risk of K Y, Vol. IX., show that 
friendly relations were kept up between the French and the 
Senecas and Cay«gas> up to 7th November, 1744, during 
which time it is highly probable that zealous missionaries 
visited those nations* Under that date we read as follows : 
<k As for the Iroquois of the Five Nations Sieur De Celokon, 
the commandant of Niagara, writes me on the 20th of last 
month, that one of the brothers of Sieur De Joincaire, 
whom he had sent to the Senecas to examine what was 
going on there, returned within two days, and reports, that 
the result of the council, which the Five Nations, and the 
English, held at Grange, this summer, has been, a refusal 
to take up the hatchet which the English presented them 
to strike the French." 

Reverend Pierre De Marceuil is stated to have come to 
Canada in 1 706. He remained in the upper Iroquois coun- 
try, (Cayugas and Senecas] until the above date, when he 
was conducted to Albany by Lieutenant Colonel John 
Schuyler, "the Governor's brother." On the 23rd June, 
the House of Assembly ordered k ' That the Commissioners 
for managing the expedition to Canada, &c, do take care a 
decent Provision be made for the French Jesuit and a servant 
that surrendered themselves to this Government from the 
Indians as the Governor and council shall direct." After 
experiencing every attention at Albany, he was finally 
exchanged towards the close of the year for Lieut. Barest 
Staats, a nephew of Colonel Peter Schuyler, who had 
been previously taken prisoner. He died in France, at the 
college of Louis le Grand, in the year 1 742. 



182 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

Extract of a Letter from M. dk Beauharnois to 
Count de Mauressas. 

u As for the Iroquois of the Five Nations, Sieur De 
Celoron, the Commandant at Niagara, writes me on thu 
20th of last mouth, that one of the brothers of Sieur De 
Jokcairs, whom he had sent to the Seneeas, to examine 
what was going on there, had returned within two days, 
and reports that the result of the Council, which the Five 
Natious, and the English held ;it Orange, this summer, has 
been a refusal to take up tie- hatchet which the English 
Led them, to strike tin- French, who might visit them, 
and particularly Sieurs JoNCAIRE and La Chai vh.nikkk; 
that the [roquoia invariably answered all their demands by 
Baying, that the)- would not <!<» anything; that they did 
any part in the present war, against their 
Father On 

Db Joncairk the younger, has added according to 
Sieur I 1 '- letter t i me, that, dining his sojourn 

among ngers had arrived 

there with Belts, to demand a chief of each nation, to guard 
the hon . but that the messengers n 

•...r that the English might guard it themselves, and 
on the reproaching them, that plenty of them 

were at Niagara, the S lied to them, that the 

chief fl > any difficulties that liquor might 

,. among the Indians, in the work they had to do 
at the carrying place; but as for the rest, they did not 
wish to participate in their war with their Father. 

The Seneeas have likewise sent word to Sieur De 
Celoron, to assure rae that, whatever proposals and 
advances ti.' lay cause to be made to them, they 

will never declare in their favor; that they requested me to 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 183 

be at ease on that score, and, when they would recover 
from the affliction caused by the death of two of their chiefs, 
they should go to the Onontaques, to light up the council 
tire, and prevail on that Nation, to be as firm as they, in 
the resolution of neutrality, which they have adopted, 
provided always* the Beaver traps at Choueghan and 
Niagara remain untouched: which are the words they used 
to me, this summer, at Montreal." 

Extract from Memoir on the Indians of Canada as 
far as the rlver mississippi, with remarks on 
their Manners and Trade. 1718-. 
The Niagara portage is two leagues and a half to three 
leagues long, but the roads, over which carts roll two or 
three times a year* is very fine, with very beautiful and 
open woods through which a person is visible for a distance 
of six hundred paces. The trees are all oaks, and very 
large. The soil along the entire of that road is not very 
good. From the landing, which is three leagues up the 
river, four hills are to be ascended. Above the first hill 
there is a Seneca Village of about ten cabins, where Indian 
coin, beans, peas, water melons and pumpkins are raised, 
all which are very fine. These Senecas are employed by 
the French, from whom they earn money, by carrying the 
goods of those, who are going to the upper country; some 
for mitasses, (ie the Algonquin word for stockings or 
leggings,) others for shirts, some for powder and ball, 
whilst some others pilfer ^ on the return of the French, 
they also carry their packs of furs, for some peltry. This 
Portage is made in order to avoid the Cataract of Niagara, 
the grandest sheet of water in the world, having a fall of 
from two to three hundred feet. This fall is the outlet of 
Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, Superior, and consequently 
of the numberless rivers discharging into these lakes, as 

K 



184 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

■well as of other lakes, towards the Sioux, with the names 
of which I am not acquainted. The Niagara portage 
having been passed, we ascend a river, six leagues in length, 
and more than a quarter of a league in width, in order to 
enter Lake Erie which is not very wide at its month. The 
route by the Southern, is much finer than that along the 
Northern shore. The reason that few persons take it, is r 
that it is thirty leagues longer than that along the North. 
There i- no need of fasting, on either side of this lake, deer 
are to be found there in such e;iv;>t abnndance; buftaloes 
Bre t<> be found on the South, hut nol • m the North si ■ r\ . 

li i- believed fchal missionaries visited, under great risks, 
3 aeca and 6th I - almost <>r quite 

up to the time when, under tin ad minis tration ofth< 
Rev. .Ions Caki'.oi u priests of the i 
began to Beefe entrance into this State An enemy attests 
it: for, in tip year 177i>. the Rev. I - Enqlbs, who, 

after the Revolution, removed to Nova Scotia and became 
Bishop there, sent to Lord Hillsborough, a " Memorial 
Concerning the EroquoW to which was attached a map by 
CoL Q\ v Johnson, from which it seems that all the present 
• of Buffalo was inhabit. -I only by Indian-. No 
:,, of course, i- made of Buffalo. About where 
Rochester now stands, we Hud the Indian village ** Chen- 
then, eastward, C -■•_■. : then, Cayuga; theft, 
Onondaga, Oneida 8ch< i Albany. All the other 
great names beJoi _ >nt future. 

Dr. Inolbs admits that "-Many of the Oneidas profess 
Christianity; being instructed partly by the Jesuits." But 
in the bounds of the present diocese of Buffalo, he says, of 
li the Cayugas, amounting to 1 ,0 40, the Seoekas, to 4,000, 
the Tuscaroras. to 1,000, . . . Very few have any impres- 
sions of Christianity/' He pleads strongly against the 
Catholic Priests: and strives to impress on the imnd of the 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 185 

Secretary of State that the converts of these Priests cannot 
be good subjects. He adds: "Under these circumstances, 
the affection of the Indians will be alienated from us more 
and more; to which the pomp and ceremonies of the 
Popish Religion, with which the savages are much capti- 
vated, will not a little contribute." Alas!' his advice, too 
well followed, forced away the priest, left many a pagan 
Indian still savage, and forced the Christian Indian into 
exile. 



CHAPTER X JU 

EARLT INDIAN MISSIONS IN THE NOW BIOCESS OF 
BUFFALO CONTINUED. 

Cod prepared for the persecuted Catholic priests, and 
Indians, Missions whither the Church might, "fly into the 
desert, to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a 
time." Along the St. Lawrence many such Missions called 
'"reductions," arose. The Rev. Francis Picquet, a Sul- 
pician, left a brilliant career, which Opened before him in 
France, to devote himself to the Missions of North America, 
in which he labored thirty years. His austere life, and un~ 
sparing labors, gave to an enfeebled constitution, extraordin- 
ary vigor, and robust health, even to the end of a long and 
highly useful life. 

God destined this zealous priest to found a "reduction," 
in which the Christian Indians* of Western New York, 
might find a refuge. He came to the Indian Mission in 
1733, and was the great Chaplin, during the war of 1742. 
When, in 1748, peace was restored, proposing to remedy 
evils which he had seen and deplored, he began a settlement 



186 Missions w WEsruttw jtew york> 

or u Reduction," at ll La Presentation," near Lake Ontario-, 
The establishment, succeeded beyond his hopes, ami 
]ias been the most useful of all tbo.se of Canada, (Meaning 1 
also Western New York). The Fort of La Presentation, 
(now Ogde»sburg r ) is situated at 44 s 50' north latitude, on 
the Presentation River, which the Indians named Soegasti, 
thirty leagues above Mount Real. Fort Frontenac had been 
built oear tberp, in 1671, to arrest the increasing power of the 
English ;md the Ii<'<ju<»is : the bay served as a port, for tin? 
Mercantile and Military Marine, which bad been formed 
there, where the t<-i»>[/iM.-* are aa frequent and as dangerous 
■i- .-I, tbe Ocean. Bui tire I'"-: of La Presentation appeared 
vtill moo- important, because tbe harbor is very good, the 
river rarely freezes, the barks can leave with northern, east- 
eru and southern winds, the lands are excellent, and that 
quarter can be fortified most advantageously. 

Besides, the Mission was adapted, by its situation to re- 
concile to us the Iroquois savagesof the Five Nation^ who 
inhabit between Virginia and Lake Ontario. The Iroquois 
to the South, and tbe Micissaquis to the North, were within 
• i. Thus it eventual led in collecting the) 

Indian- r r distance of one hundred 

leagues Tlie officer interpreters and traders, however, 
regarded the establishment as chimerical Knw and »>p- 
positioD would have effected its failure, had it not been for" 
the firmness of Abbe Pictw &f. On the 20th October, 1740. 
be had built a Fort of paUisades, a bouse, a barn, a stable, 
a redoubt, and an oven. He had lands cleared for thesav- 
_ . 1 1 >— improvements were estimated to coat thirty to 
forty thousand livers, but in n)\ he introduced! as much 
judgment as economy. He so animated tbe workmen that 
they labored 'from three o'clock in the morning* until nine 
at night As for himself, his disinterestedness was extreme. 
He received at that time neither allowance nor preseut-*, 



MISSIONS IN' WESTERN NEW YORK. 1&7 

supporting himself by his industry .and credit. From the 
King he had but one ration of two pounds of bread and one 
half pound of pork, which be, and his fellow priests, could 
scarcely cut, this made the savages say, when they brought 
him a Buck and some Partridges, "We doubt not, Father, 
but that there have been disagreealle expostulations in your 
stomach, because you have nothing but Pork to eat Here 
is something to put your affairs in order. " After this, the 
hunting became good ; the hunters furnished him where- 
withal to support the men. The savages brought him. 
trout, weighing as much as eighty pound. 

At first, in 1749, he had only six heads of families; 
eighty-seven families the year following; three hundred and 
ninty-seven, in 1751. All these, were most ancient and 
influential; ihey numbered three thousand. Mr. Picquet 
took advantage of the peace to increase that settlement. 
He brought it, in less than four years, to great perfection, 
despite the contradictions and obstacle which he had to sur- 
mount, and tiie gibes and unbecoming jokes which he was 
obliged to bear; but his happiness and glory "suffered no- 
thing therefrom. People saw with astonishment several 
villages start up almost at once; a convenient, habitable and 
pleasantly situated fort- 5 vast clearings coveted with the finest 
maize. More than five hundred families, still infidels, who 
congregated there, soon rendered this settlement the most 
abundant of the colony. Depending on it, were La Present- 
ation, La Galette, Suegatzi, L'Isleau Galope and L'Isle Pic- 
quet, in the River Saint Lawrence. 

The most distinguished of the Iroquois families were dis- 
tributed at La Presentation, in three villages; that which 
adjoined the French fort contained, in 1754, forty more 
bark cabins, some of which were from sixty to eighty feet 
long, and accommodated three or four families. The loca- 
tion phased them on account of the abundance of fishing 



l8S MtssioNs in Western new tore. 

and hunting. ****** The Bishop o'f Quebec, 
wishing to witness, and assure himself personally of the won- 
ders, related to him of the establishment at La Presentation; 
went thiUwy in 1749, accompanied by some officers, royal 
interpreters. Priests, from other Missions, and several other 
clergymen, and spent ten days examining, and Causing the 
Catechumens to be examined. He himself baptized one 
hundred and thirty-two, and, during his stay, ceased not to 
bless Heaven for the Progress of Religion among these In- 
fidels. Scarcely were tbey baptized, when M. Picquet de- 
termined to give them a form of government. He estab- 
lished a council of twelve ancients ; chose the most influential 
among the Five Nations^ brought them to Mount, Ileal, 
where, at the hands o\' the Marquis De Quesne, they took 
the oath of Allegiance, to the great astonishment of the 
colony, where no person dared to hope for such an event 

In the month of Juue, 1751, ML Picquet mad.- a * 
around Lake Ontario, with a king's canoe and one bark, 
in which be had five I •-. with the design of 

attracting Bome Indian families, to the new settlement of 
mentation, memoir among his papers on 

the Btibject, from which it is purposed to give an extract. 
At the Bay of Quiate, be visited the site of the ancient 
n which M. Dollieks De Kleus and Abbe D' 

- 8 iminary, had established there. 

The quarter is beautiful, but the land is not goad. He 
passed thence to Niagara. He examined the situation of 
that fort, it is well located for defence, not being com- 
manded from any point The view extends to a great dis- 
tance. They have the advantage of the landing of all the 
canoes and barks, which land and are in safety there. But 
the rain was washing the soil away by degrees, notwith- 
standing the vast expanse, which the King incurred to bus* 
tain it. M. Picquet was of opinion that the space between 



• MISSIONS IN WESTERN KEW YORK. 189 

the land and the wharf, might be filled in; so as to support 
it, and make a glacis there. This place was important as 
& trading-post, and &s securing possession of the carry ing- 
53! ace, Niagara, and Lafee Ontario. 

From Niagara, M. Picquet went to the carrying- place, 
which is six leagues from that post. He visited on the 
same day the famous Falls of Niagara, by w T hich the four 
great Canada Lakes discharge themselves into Lake Onta- 
rio. This cascade is as prodigious by its height, and the 
•quantity of water which falls there, as by the variety of its 
falls, which are to the number of six principal ones, divided 
by a small Island, leaving three to North, and three to the 
South. They produce of themselves a singular symmetry, 
and wonderful effect He .measured the height of one of 
those falls from the South side, and found it about one 
(hundred and forty feet, (these are French feet, longer than 
English ones.) M. Pecquet negotiated with the Senecas 
who premised to repair to his mission, and gave him twelve 
•children as hostages, saying to him, that their parents had 
nothing dearer to them; they followed him immediately, as 
well as the chief of the Little Rapid, with all his family. 
He set out with all those savages, to return to Fort Niagara. 
M. Chabert i>e Jonca'Ire would not abandon him. At 
•each place where they encountered camps, cabins and depots 
they were saluted with mus^uetry by the Indians, who 
never ceased testifying their consideration for the missionary. 
$1. Picquet tosk the lead with the savages of the Hills. 
Messrs. Jgnc&tre and Bjguille, following with the recruits. 
He -embarked, with, thirty-nine savages, in his large canoe, 
and was r-eceiv-ed on arriving at fort Niagara, with the 
-greatest ceremony; even with the discharge of cannon 
which greatly pleased the Indians, On the morrow he 
assembled the Seneca's, for the first time, in the chapel of 
a'Jie Fortg for religious services. M. Picquet returned 



190 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

along the South coast of Lake Ontario. Along- side of 
Choiquen, a young Seneca met her uncle who was coming 
from his village with his wife and children. This young 
girl spoke so well to her uncle, though she had but little 
knowledge of Religion, that he promised to repair to La 
Presentation, early the following spiling, and that he Imped 
to gain over also, seven other cabins of Seneca's of which he 
was chief. 

Twenty five leagues from Niagara, Father Picquet, 
visited the River Gasconchagou (Genesee) where he saw a 
number of Rattlesnakes. The young tndians jumped into 
the midst of them, and killed forty-two, without having 
been bitten by any. 

He next visited the Falls of this River. The first which 
appear in sight in ascending, lesemble Ihe e>eat cascade at 
Saint Cloud, except that they have not been ornamented, 
and do nut seem so high, but they possess natural beauties, 
which render them very curious. The second, a quarter of 
r, ha- beauties truly admirable, by its curtains, 
and falls, which form also, as at Niagara, a charming pro- 
portion and variety. They may be one hundred and some 
igh. In the intervals between the falls, there are a 
hundred lilt:] - which present likewise a curious 

spectacle; and if the attitudes of each fall were joined t«/- 
gether, and lUey made but one as at Niagara, the height 
would, perhaps, be four hundred feet; but there is four times 
less water than at Niagara Falls, which will canse the hit- 
ter t<> pass, for ever, as a wonder, perhaps unique^ in the 
v arid. 

The English, to throw disorder into the new band, sent 
them a good deal of brandy. Some savages did, in fact, 
get drunk, whom M. Picquet could not bring along. He 
therefore desired much that Choiquen — Oswego — might be 
destioyed; and proposed erecting a fort near there, at the 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK!. 191 

bay of the Cayugas, — Sodus Bay, — which would make a 
very good harbour and furnish very fine anchorage. M. 
Picquet next returned to Frontenac. Never was a reception 
more imposing. The Nipissirigs and Algon< pains, who were 
going to war in company with M. De Bellestre, drew up 
in a line of their own accord above Frontenac, where three 
standards were hoisted. They fired several volleys of mus- 
ketry and cheered incessantly. They were answered in 
the same style, from all the little craft of boats. M. De 
Verchere and M. De La Valtrie, caused the guns of the 
Fort to be discharged at the same time, and the Indians 
transported with joy, at the honors paid them, also kept up 
a Continual fire with shouts and acclamations, which made 
every one rejoice. The Commandants and Officers received 
our missionary at the landing. No sooner had he debarked, 
than all the Algon<juins and Nipissings of the Lake, came to 
embrace him, saying that they had been told that the Eng- 
lish had arrested him, and, had the news been confirmed, 
they would soon have themselves released him. Finaljy 
when he returned to La Presentation, lie was received with 
that affection, that tenderness, winch children would ex- 
perience in recovering a father whom they had lost. 

War was no sooner declared, in 1754, than the New 
children of God, of the King, and of M. Pjcqfet, thought 
only of giving fresh proofs of their fidelity and valor, as 
those of the Lake of the Two Mountains had done the war 
preceding. They distinguished themselves, especially at 
Fort George, on Lake Ontario, where the warriors of La 
Presentation alone, with their bark canoes destroyed the 
English fleet commanded by Capt. Beccan, who was made 
prisoner, with a number of others, by M. De Villiers, who 
was at Isle Galope. The war parties which separated and 
returned continually filled the mission with so many prison- 
ers that their numbers frequently surpassed thai of the 



£92 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

warriors, rendering it necessary to empty the villages, and 
send them to head quarters. 

Tlie "Relation" then shows the success of the bands from 
La Presentation, particularly in the expeditions of Sarasto 
(Saratoga), Lake Cbamplain, Pointe a la Chevelnre (Crown 
Point), the Cascades, Carillon (Ticonderoga), Choi^uen 
(Oswego), River Corlac (Mohawk), Isle au Galope, etc. 

In the month of May, 1750, M. De Vatjdreuil got M. 
Picquet, to depute the Chiefs of his Missions, to tiie Five 
Nations of Senecas, Cayugas, Onontaguis, Tnsearoras, and 
Oneidas to attach them more and more to the French, 
But at length the battle of LS-tli Sept., 1749, in which the 
Marquis of Montcalm was killed, brought ruin on Quebec^ 
that of all Canada followed. When all was thus .lost, M. 
Picquet terminated bis long and iabouous career by his re- 
treal on the 6th May, l76(X, with th< advice and consent of 
the General, the Bishop, and Intendant, in order not to fall 
into the hands of the English. He had determined never 
t" swear allegiance to another power. Il<; passed to Michi- 
limachina, between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan ; pro- 
ceeded thus by way of Upper Canada to the Illinois 
country and Louisiana, and sojourned twenty-two months 
Orleans. 

On his return to Fran'''-, he passed several years in Paris* 
A hernia, which afflicted him a long time, having become 
aggravated, finally caused his death at Verjon, on the 15th 
July, 1781, aged 73. In his life time he was 'complimented 
with the title of "Apostle of the [roquois." 

A Ogdensburg, as will be seen by the following le*ter, 
a lingering relic yet remains of his works: 
Letter from L. Hasbrouck, Esq., to Dr. O*CaHag»0, Ogdens- 
barg, St. Lawrence Co. 

April, 1840. 

Dear Sir, — Observing by the papers that you have been 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK, 193 

collecting information relative to the early occupation of this 
country by the French, I take the liberty of sending you a 
copy of the inscription on the corner stone of the barracks 
at this place, (called I believe Fort Presentation^) and 
which was found at the base of the stone buildings. 

My father was one of the early settlers here, about 1800, 
and it was given to him as being" the "oldest inhabitant." 
The stone is now in my possession and corroborates your 
history. 

In nomine 4* Dei omnipotent^. 

Huic habitation! initia ded'it 

Francis Picquet, 1749. 

In the name -f- of Almighty God, 

To this edifice a beginning was given, by 

Francis Picquet, 1749. 

On jjhe departure of M. Picquet, the Mission was en- 
trusted to the pastoral care of Rev. Peter Paul De La 
Garde, a Sulpician. After many trial?, those who did not 
remove to Canada, were by the English Government located, 
first at Johnstown, than sit Lisbon Point, on American 
ground; here they had a little village, which was finally dis- 
persed hi 1806 and 1807. The faithful Indians retiring to 
the Mission of St. Regis in Canada. 

A letter written in 1 770, by a Protestant Divine, Dr. 
Inglis, alluded to in the last Chapter, shows that than, there 
were still practical Catholics among the Iroquois. Dr. 
Inglis pleads against permitting Catholic priests to be with 
them, ''Because the Savages are much captivated with the 
pomp and ceremonies of the Popish religion." 

Alas! In many lands has the same enmity to Catholi- 
city, blasted tbe fairest promise for ''Glory to God, and 
peace on earth." An excellent work, just published, in 
Canada, says: "Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore, a convert 



194 . MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

from Protestantism to the religion of Lis forefathers, sent 
two handled Catholics, in "The Ark, and the Dove," under 
the Spiritual guidance of the Jesuits, Father Andrew 
White and John Ai/smax. They arrived in Chesepeak 
Bay, the 22d Nov. 1633; bought, from the Indians, land 
on which they began to build the eity of St. Mary, with its 
humble Chapel. Many Indians were converted. Whilst 
Catholics held power, toleratiou for all, and blessed peace 
existed. But the Puritans got footing, in that Catholic 
land of universal toleration; and, whilst still a minority, 
through English influence, they persecuted the Catholics, 
and seized the Missionaries, whom they sent in chains to Eng-. 
land. When persecution and death, had taken away the 
zealous pastors, the Savage tribes relapsed into barbarism, 
< 'u the borders of the Potomac, as on those of the M. Law- 
rence, Catholic teachjng produced the same blessed fruits. 
Unhappily for the honor of the Christian name, Protest- 
antism, brought persecution into Maryland and prevented 
Catholic Missionaries from continuing their work of civil and 
• ■',-, regeneration." — Farlan, Cauadas, 1 Vol. 288. 

From the Relation of Abbe Picqvet, aheady noted, and 
from the inventory of Fort Niagara, when it was left, as 
give"n in Doc. Hist. ofN, V. Vol. 1 pg. 00, it is certain 
there was a Chapel and religious exercise in Fort Niagara 
from early times. Thy words of t|ie Picquet ''Relation," as 
will be remembered, arc; "He set out with all these savages 
to return to Fort Niagara, and was received on arriving 
at the Foit with the greatest ceremony. * * * On the 
morrow he assembled the Senecas, for the first time, in the 
Chapel of the Fort, for religious service. '—Doc. His. Vol. 
L, pg, 284, 

When on the 25th July, 1759, Fort Niagara, defended 
by 48(3 men, was taken by Gen. \Ym. Johnson, Article IV. 
of , the capitulation stipulates: "The French ladies, with 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. ] 95 

their children, and other Avoliren, as Well as the Chaplain, 
shall b'e sent to Montreal-, &c. 

The old French Fort at Niagara, begun in December, 
1678, by the celebrated explorer La Salle, as one of his 
line of posts, had been more or less regularly attended by 
chaplains from that date. It was visited in 1670 by the 
romantic Father Hennepin, of the Order of Recollects or 
Reformed Franciscans, and by the still more distinguished 
Fathers GabrtEL De La RiBOtRDE and Zenobe Membre, 
of the same Order, both martyrs to their zeal in endeavor- 
ing to plant the faith amid the Wilderness. Here, on his 
departure for the West, La Salle left as chaplain another 
Recollect, Father Meletito^ Watte au, with a small party; 
Hither La Salle returned on foot, baffled, but not discour- 
aged, in April, i 080';?. -and he set out from it again, in 
1682, on his memorable expedition which had the glory of 
first descending the Mississippi to its mouth. On the dis- 
astrous end of La Salle, his post at Niagara was aban- 
doned, and the Jesuit missionaries in the Seneca country, 
of whom we have already spoken, were the only priests of 
Catholicity in Western lS T ew York. The Marquis De 
DrnoxvIlle, in spite of the protests of Gov. Donoanj took 
possession of the spot, in July, 1787, and began to rebuild 
the Fort. Denonville had just returned from his Seneca 
expedition, and restored Niagara* as a check upon the enemies 
of France. The Jesuit Fathers John de Lamberville, was 
the first Chaplain of the new Fort, having reached it in 
September 1687. But the garrison closely blockaded by 
the Indians, was attacked by the scurvey, abd the mission- 
ary, sick himself, was dragged on the ice to Fort Frontenac 
which he reached, almost in a dying condition. lie was 
succeeded by Father Peter Milet, who remained until the 
evacuation of the Fort in September 1688. The official 
account of the commandant at that time-, states tha^ he 



196 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

demolished the ramparts, leaving the houses and cabins, to 
prove possession; and, in the midst of the Fort, across 
eighteen feet high, which the officers had planted, on Good 
Friday, after it had been solemnly blessed by Father 
Milet. This cross bore the inscription " Christus vincit, 
Christus regnal, Christus imperat:" and it remained to 
foretell the future triumphs of religion, where almost 
beneath its shadow, now raises the noble Cathedra] of 
Buffalo. The Chaplain's cabin is thus described " Father 
Millrt's cabin furnished with its chimney, windows and 
sashes, shelves, a bedstead and four boards, arranged inside, 
witli a door furnished with its fastenings and hinges, the 
whole cabin being mad.' of twenty four boards." 

In 17_ H , The French resumed possession of Niagara, 
which they held till the fatal battle, -in which the gallant 
Aubry was defeated, in his attempt to releive it. The Foil 
then surrendered in 1759. During this interval of thirty 
eight years, the Fort had undoubtedly a Recollect chaplain, 
because the King assigned one, t-> every post holding over 
forty men, and the Garrison ai Niagara always exceeded 
that number; we do not however find any, mentioned by 
name, except the celebrated Father Emmanuel Gresjpbl, 
and the register of the Fort is lost, having probabry been 
carried to Albany after the surrender. Father Emmani hi. 
(trespel, «>f the Order of St. Francis, came to Canada in 
1 723, was chaplain at crown point, and then at Niagara- 
He also visited Detroit, and attended an expedition against 
the Fox Indians, in Wisconsin, in 1728. He set sail for 
Europe in 1742 but was wrecked at the mouth of the St. 
Lawrence. Tin »-o who reached the shore, almost all per- 
ished of cold or bunger. Father Gkespel survived, and on 
his return to Europe, published an account of his travels 
"which is remarkably interesting. 

What Bancroft, in his History of the United States, 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 197 

says of early missionaries, was true, in some part, or in 
many parts, of what is now the Diocese of Buffalo, down 
at least to 1759. Bancroft, Vol. Ill, p. 14, says: 

"A chapel was built at Onondaga, another on Cayuga 
Lake, etc. ; and then in the heart of New York, the solemn 
service of the Roman Church, was chanted as securely as in 
any part of Christendom." 

The Jesuit Relations speak of their masses,, their solemn 
services, their sacred hymns and fervent singing, in various 
points of their wide missions. The voice of their sacred 
chant mingled with the roar of Niagara's cataraet 

The French had a fort at Schlosser; a stockade at the 
present ferry between Lewiston and Queenstown: and an- 
other stockade just above the Falls, half a mile above the 
residence of the late Judge Porter; the place is still known 
by the name of the " French Landing." In all those ports, 
regular, or occasional Catholic service was held. ]t is also 
known that after the events of 1759, the English abandoned 
the old French military works, and constructed others, 
where the present cluster of buildings stand, at the end of 
the road leading to Lewiston. The large chimney around 
which a small building is erected, belonged to the English 
messhouse, as it was called; it w r as a large, inconvenient 
structure, very high between joints: the frame of this buil- 
ding was prepared at Fort Niagara, while in possession of 
the French, for a Catholic church at that place, the English 
.hauled it over to Scblosser, and put it up there. This was 
the residence of Judge Porter for several years, after ho 
removed to the Niagara frontier, it was burned down by 
the British, when they invaded the country, in December, 
1813. 

In tracing the solicitude of the Prelates of the Church, evi- 
dences are afforded, that, in the succeeding dark interval < f 
forty or fifty years, missionaries often traversed this country, 



198 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

arid, like their Divine Master, it is to be hoped that they were 
•' doing- good," even if only as in " passing" through the 
land. This will be seen, in tracing the source of jurisdic- 
tion for our America. 

In 1615, the Franciscan Fathers received their jurisdic- 
tion, in America, from the Tope, through the Nuncio in 
Paris. 

In 1G48, F. Vincent arrived at Quebec, with the title of 
Vicar General of the Archbishop of Rouen: " this /'as not 
heen approved? Ju February 5, 1654, Pope Innocent X., 
addressed a Brief, erecting the Confraternity of the Rosary 
in the Church of Quebec, thus: " Ecclesiae oppidi Quebec, 
nulliuj dio sis." In June 11, 1658, Alexander VIJ., 
issued a Brief, giving to Mgr. De Laval, the poweia of 
Vicar Apostolic of New France- 
March 31, 1659, Ann of Austria, Queen Regent of 
France, wrote to command that the Bishops of Petree, whom 
the Pope had named Vicar Apostolic of New France, 
should have full jurisdiction through the whole Province. 
Subsequently jurisdiction passed through the Bishop of 
ec 
In 17-7 Mjt. DE8ETLY, Bishop of Quebec, wrote to his 
grand Vicar, in London, stating. that by the treaty of 1783, 
the south of the St. Lawrence, from the 45 = of latitude 
belonged to the "Anglo Americans," and consequently} 
that since the said treaty, he, the Bishop of Quebec, bad 
sent no permanent missionary thither or to the country of 
the Illinois. It seems that then the " Prefect Apostolic" of 
New England, sent thither M. De La A'alenif.re, and Mi 
De St. Pierrev The Bishop of Quebec adds: "I do not 
know the extent of their powers, nor have I a wish to ques- 
tion them." In October, 1788, Mgr. Hubert, Bishop of 
Quebec, wrote to Very Rev. John Carroll, Prefect Apos- 
tolic, regarding the same subject, and adds to the names of 



"MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 1 9^ 

the two priests, above noted; a third, Rev. M. Gibeau, 
requesting Mr. Carroll to continue his care over that 
district 

On 13th January, 1791, Pope Pius.yl, issitec! a Brief, 
confiding the jurisdiction over ail the country, in the limits 
of the United States, to the Bishop of Baltimore. 

On the 14th January, 1796, Mgr. Hubert, Bishop of 
Quebec, wrote to the Right Rev. John Carroll, Bishop of 
Baltimore, saying that Rev. M. Frechette, pastor of Detroit, 
but member of the clergy of Quebec, desired to be recalled to 
Quebec, and requesting Bishop Carroll to provide a pastor 
in his place. Bishop Hubert also states that the Rev. Mr. 
Burke, at "Riviere aux Raisins, 1 ' was willing to Continue 
pastor of the place, even after its approaching surrender to 
the Americans, and that the Bishop of Quebec left him at 
the disposal of the Bishop of Baltimore. Bishop Carroll 
answers, in date of May 2, 1796. Expressing how much he 
would have been consoled, if both pastors could have been 
left, and declaring thai he will do ail in his power to 'find a 
pastor for Detroit, &c. In this hasty, and often interrupted 
collection, it can only be hoped that provision may be made 
for future ttiore extended history of this early interesting 
epoch* 

Before the removal of the Indian missions, Catholic 
priests from Europe, Baltimore and Philadelphia-, had 
begun to penetrate New York., in despite of cruel penal 
laws. At this period of our history, it becomes a duty to 
show from authentic documents what remains of good from 
the heroic apostolic z^al of early Catholic Missionaries, 
And the reader will be consoled to learn from truthful and 
zealous Rt. Rev. and Rev. Catholic Missionaries that the 
number of Catholic Indians, perhaps -Tm-er diminished, cer- 
tainly is now far greater than ever. 



200 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW TORS. 



A respected missionary in tbe Diocese of Quebec writes: 
" There are at Montagnais, in tbe Diocese of Quebec, on 
tbe north shore of tbe River and Gulf of St. Lawrence, 
two hundred! and eighty fa mi Ires, containing about eleven 
hundred individuals. Mostly all of the adults are able to 
read and write. Tbey were taught reading and writing, 
more than a century ago, by some of the Jesuits; books 
have been since printed in their language. Each family 
carefully preserved the knowledge they received from pre- 
ceding generations, without the aid of schoolmasters. 
Except the Huron a of Loretre, all the Indians belong to 
the Algonquin family. I do not think that th.'je is in the 
] lebec a single Protestant Indian." 
In tbe Kocese of Quebec . . . . 2386 
" " " Milwaukee, Menoroees . . 2000 
* " Sault fete. Marie, over . . 3000 
u u u Michigane, Huron 9, Ottawas, 

Pattowaftamies, Menomees . 4<X)0 
u " u Hamilton and Owen Sound . 80 

» «* «• " ** Monitoulin . 1000 

* " M " •* Garden River . so 

« «« " M Fort William . 80 

M «* " Montreal, St Regis . . 1256 

« " " Sauit St. Louis . 1400 

" v ' *• " Deux Montagues . 80O 

''An old Indian missionary of Montreal, writes 
thu*: "It may be said that the Catholic 
Indians of the dioeeseof Montreal are, lor 
the most part descendants of th« j Senecas; the 
others less numerous are Cayugas, Onan- 
taga«s and Oneidas." 
Catholic Indians in State of Maine .... 1000 
In Kansas, the number of Catholic Indians, 

Pend'oreiles Kalissas, is 4000 



MISSIONS IN "WESTERN NEW YORK. 201 

West of Rocky Mountains, Catholic Indians 6000 

Other Catholic Indians, east of Rocky AJoun- 
tains, and in Minnessota, California, etc., but 
not reported, supposed 5000 

32082 
Besides very many descendants of Indians, 
who intermarried with Europeans in Mis- 
souri, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, etc., and 
whose children's children are faithful Cath- 
olics as their Indian parents were, two- 
hundred years ago. 
It is consoling to read the annotations of several Right 
Rev. and Revd. correspondents, who attest to the number 
and piety of their Indian christians. Thus the Right Rev. 
Bishop Baraga, of Sault St. Marie, says: "Their number 
amounts to more than two thousand faithful Catholics, and 
all of them, except small children, are communicants." And 
again: "The number of our Chippewa Catholics is over 
one thousand, and all of them are practical Christians and 
communicants, except the children. 

A most respectable missionary, thus states the condition 
of other Indian settlements: " The contact with the whites, 
whiskey, and Protestantism, have been at work among 
others of the ancient Indian tribes, and have made sail 
havoc among them." The following applies specially to the 
Manitoulin Islands, but is partially true for some other 
places. Extract of a letter will show 'how the thing is done." 
" Plow the Indians became Methodists and Protestants, is 
a fact which deserves a brief mention here. The writer of 
these notices heard it from the mouth of the old chief of the 
tribe. When the English Government gave us to under- 
stand that we should have to become Christians, and join a 
Church, otherwise that we should lose all claim to the land, 



202 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW ToRK. 

and to the support of the Government. ' Id consequence of 
which, a petition was sent, in the name of the tribe to the 
Governor* praying that the same Black Gowns, who had 
converted our Fathers, should he sent again to their children. 
The Governor, or rather the Government agents, in answer 
Befit them a Protestant minister, who being dressed in a 
black coat, w;is paw tied on them as a great " black gown.** 
The simple Indians, who bad never seen before a Catholic 
priest, fell into the snare, and Were thus made Protestants. 
'•lint," did t reply to him, "why don't yon correct youf 
mistake now that yon know better?" "Oh!' 4 answered he, 
" [f We would change now, we would be deprived of oil f 
annuities and of' the protection of the Government, and per* 
haps our reserves." Such was his answer verbatim, aborit 
ten years ago. I suppose their situation in about the same 
how, perhaps worse. The same trick and the sum.- means 
were employed in some other settlements, and with the 
same results, namely to prevent the Indians from joining 
the Catholic Church. 

The Iroquois tribe of Saul t St. Louis (Catighmanaga) 
was composed by emigrations, coining from the five [roquois 
fan tons of the United States, namely! the Agnez, the 
Onneyota, Onantagttas, the Geoquens and the Tsbmion- 
tuuis, who spoke different dialects. The villages increased 
and especially that of Satilt St Louis, which became very 
prosperous particularly since it sent to heaven the Iroquois 
Virgin, Catherine TfiAOHoKtiTA. 

Xow-a-days the Iroquois are much degenerated from their 
ancient fervor; nevertheless they keep ardently to the re- 
ligion of their fathers, so that It has not yet been heard of, that 
any one ceded to the reiterated attempts, which some heritics 
made to deprive them of their faith. The village of Saul t 
St. Louis numbers about three hundred families, nearly 
1400 souls, of which there are about 800 communicants, 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 203 

The Savages of St. Regis amount to 1324 of the 
Catholic population in the two, Rnyalist and American 
parties, as they call thein, where the)' live in the same 
village. Qf the number 1324, eighty-eight are Protestants, 
who apostatized some years ago, the others are Catholics, 

The Savages of St. Regis are descendants of the famous 
Iroquois nation, have emigrated from Sault St. Louis in 
1759, under the direction of the Jesuit Father Gordon, 
and have founded the village known under the name of 
mission of St. Regis. Afterwards when the village of the 
Presentation (now Ogdensburgh) founded by Father Piquet, 
under French domination was abandoned by the savage 
Iroquois inhabitants, a part of them emigrated to St Regis, 

There are no Hurons at St Regis, only some Abenaskis 
families of the village of St. Francis, in the District of the 
the Three Rivers. 

The Indians, so far as reported, practising the Catholic 
Religion within the limits of the United States, number 
20,000. It is supposed that at least 5000 might be added 
for California, Minnesota, <fec, <fce^ where no circulars have 
t*een sent. In Canada, from near the site of the first Huron 
mission, down to the diocess of Quebec inclusive, 7082 faith- 
ful and fervent Catholic Indians are reported, many of them 
descendants of the Seneca and Cayuga tribes, From the 
diocese of Ottawa, in which there are many Catholic 
Indians, no return has been obtained. Most of the others, 
are descendants of the Alguonquia and Huron Iroquois 
tribes; among whose fathers the first Franciscan and Jesuit 
missionaries laboured. 

Thus it is evident that then and note, there are more 
faithful Catholic Indians, than in the palmiest days of the 
Martyr Apostolic Fathers, in the early Missions of thi* 
eountiy. So that, the taunt: "Look over the world and read 



204 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW. YORK. 

the history of the Jesuit Mission : after one or two genera- 
tions they have always come to naught. * * * Must 
there not have been something wrong in the whole system 
— some previous error mingled with their teaching, which 
thus denied them a measure of success proportioned to their 
efforts:" Kipp, (now Bp. of California,) is unjust. 

The strong hand of power and persecution, thwarted 
many a promising hope, compelled Missionaries to shift 
from place to place, until they found a safe spot for their 
altars. * * * But their work continued. Under the 
most adverse circumstances, tin- number of their faithful In- 
dians has increased not decreased. Whilst, in the same land, 
Piot. -tan! Ministers aided by the Sovereign, by Parliament, 
by law<. \,\ ;i|| that could protest, encourage, and excite, 
"after one or tun generations have come to naught." 

Sixteen hundred years agi • Tertulu \n said of the Sect of 
his day: u They can pervert, but not convert; that is, of 
Catholics, they make non-Catholics; of Children of One 
Church, they make Sectarians and Schismatics ; of Chris- 
tians, non- Christians; of believers, infidels; but to convert 
one nation of heathens to Christianity, is beyond their power. 
Such is ih" testimony of hwiory in favor of the Catholic 
Church.** Such also iti testimony now, in America. Only 
when non- Catholic Ministers preach mere Deism, or quasi 
paganism, ran they hop.- ic convert Indians back, to nearly 
tin ir old pog lnisiit. 

From 1759, on the American or Canadian side of the 
St. Lawrence, in the Jesuit "Reductions,*' the Catholic 
Indians practiced faithfully their religion. Their priests, 
probably, also, visited the poor faithful Indians, that could 
not get away. Amidst peiseeutions and cruel penal laws, 
priests also visited their proscribed flocks in the city of 
iSew York. The law passed under Bellamont, Governor 



MISSfOTsS TN WESTERN NEW YORK. 205 

of New York, against Popish Priests and Jesuits, adjudged 
them to suffer perpetual imprisonment; atul death, should 
they, after escape, be again -captured* All who harbored 
priests were to pay a fine of two hundred pounds, and 
stand three days in the pillory. Queen Anne, in 1703, 
granted liberty of conscience, in the State of New York, to 
all, except Papists. The persecuting spirit was general. 
Thus, m Maryland, among other barbarous laws having the 
avowed intention of preventing the growth of Popery, a 
•duty of twenty shillings was imposed upon every imported 
popish servant. 

The last Chapter completed all that seems useful, in the 
spirit and view of thk history, to give a general idea of early 
Indian Missions, and to -connect the present with the dis- 
tant past Lest it /night however be thought chat the facts 
(heretofore stated are presented in ultra Catholic light: It 
may be well to append the statement of an Englishman 
#nd a Protestaet, He is called the "Indian's Friend," — has 
lectured in Buffalo, and in many other places — and, though 
neither Priest, nor Catholic, for his age and holy zeal in a 
good cause, goes by the name of * l Father Beisox." In his 
paper, The Calumet, !>e says: 

" It is admitted by ail who have travelled extensively 
a.<siong the Indians, that the Catholic missionaries are by far 
the aiiost successful among them. Under their control, the 
inhabitants of New Mexico are chiefly Indians. While im 
New England, where they were once so numerous, they are 
iiow extinct. In California they wefQ living in thrifty eom- 
snitniiie?, owning vineyards and cultivated fields, and vast 
Ileitis of cattle a«"d horses, and were blessed with peace and 
plenty; but now they are peeled and scattered like sheep 
without a shepherd. In Arizonia they were living in vil- 
lages, raking- gm'm and e&tJile, aad com and cotton^ weaving 



206 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

excellent blankets, and sustained the most pure democratic- 
form of government on tbe continent ; but now they aro 
tl riven from their fertile valleys to perish upon the sterile 
mountains, and their usurpers report that ' we l^ust kill or 
feed the Savage*. 7 

"In Northern Oregon* sonae of the la-*o>est tribes believe- 
that the frauds and outrages whk-h taave been perpetrated 
upon them was a sequence of missionary establishments, and 
then-fore wilt have none but Catholics, in whom they have 
confidence — and, as if to spite tbe poo* Indians for their 
preference, during the war against them they were driven 
from the Catholic mission : the Priests' robes were used to 
decorate the horses of tbe invaders, tbe premises were burnt 
at a loss - ik er< at*n ■> who 

Could not make th< put t'» death and theiw 

bodies Bsed as targets to shoot at; and the life of good 
(father Pan»ozy vsa> sought after, because Kke a good 
shepherd he kept with bis flock in it> distress, while in 

rn Oregon, the Bible was quoted to justify tl 
termination of the [ndians. N 1 we wonder that they re- 
gard th-- frible as their death-warrant, and your religion as 
a curse 1 Geutlemen, I appeal to yo*i as men, not as uiin- 
eds which many of yon bold, you 
such, a- effectually sh ,)••! I( f your strength as was 
Sampson, after Delilah bad .-at upon bis lap with her 
at hi- beard, The Philistines, in tbe quickened 
common-sense of the world, are upon you, and unless pon 
obey the voice ot' God in nature, you will die as be died, 
a& inglorious death*" 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 207 



CHAPTER XII. 

JNDIAN MISSIONS IN THE DIOCESE OF BUFFALO CONCLUDED. 

A new era commences. In 1776, our country became 
independent of England, The penal laws of England 
Against Catholics, more or less fully established in every 
State, quailed before true liberty. But with Independence, 
those laws were not at once abrogated ; the spirit of the 
people, so far mare kind, so far better, than the laws, 
made them generally become a dead letter before they 
were repealed. That law which condemned Catholic 
Priests to perpetual imprisonment or death, was repealed 
by the New York Legislature only in 1784, when there was- 
not a single Catholic congregation in this State. It is 
curious that the lav* 7 , under which alone Catholics can now 
incorporate, was enacted in 1781, and, of course, was not 
intended for them: yet whilst almost all Protestant churches 
or sects refused to use that act of 1784, because, as the 
preamable to their petition states, it ivas contrary to Church 
discipline; yet Catholics are still required by a penal law, 
enacted in 1855, to incorporate under that very law, not 
intended for them, and which Protestants generally refused 
to use, having obtained other laws which suit their disci- 
pline. In our "Revised Statutes, "it is said, at each revision \ 
4t Law passed in 1813 — in 1821, eto., etc. ;" but this is a 
fiction; no such, law passed at those epochs. The only 
excuse for the assertion is, that the Revision was com- 
pleted and presented to the Legislature in those years. 

In spite of the cruel law. missions had been kept up; for 
priests would risk their life to visit the sick, or to aid a 
soul that yearned for truth and for God. But missions 
eaukl not spread when Catholic or Protestant laymen, were 



208 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

liable to a fine of $1000, and three days in the pillory, for 
giving shelter to a priest, 

As soon as the Catholic priest could appear, without 
danger of death, or ruin to his friendly host, the work of 
God advanced most rapidly, In 1784, there was not a 
single Catholic church or Catholic congregation in the 
State of New York. In 1802, they form about one-third 
of the total population of the State. 

For many years befue a Priest came to Rochester or 
Buffalo, the Catholics in this West part of our State, were 
accustomed to go, al leas! once a year, about Easter, to 
Albany — a journey of three hundred miles — to accomplish 
their duties of the Christian Passover, and to get their 
children baptised. When, with other Commissaries, Da 
Witt I ncplored, in 1810, the location of the 

it Erie Canal, Rochester had no existence. In 1 8 1 2, 
two bousee were built Nathaniel Kochester, William 
Frrzuuon, and Ciias. 11. Carroll surveyed tin- on.' hun- 
dred acre tract which they bought in 1802, at seventeen 
and a half dollars per acre, an ! laid ii out as a bite for a 
village. 

Mr, Scrawton built tin first house, occupying the site 
of the present KagU Hotel, on the corner of State and 
Buffalo Streets. The increase of inhabitants was at 
first slow, as may be seen from the fact that the future 
city, in 1816, numbered only three hundred and sixty-one 
inhabitants. 

But emigrants from the Eastern S ates and from Europe, 
found their way thither, and swelled ihe number of its 
inhabitants in a few years, to a degree equalled by no city 
in Europe, and by very few in this country. 

In 1820, it possessed 1,500 inhabitants; in 1825, 4,27-1; 
in 183U, they increased to 10.303; in 1836, to 17,100; in 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 209 

I83S, to 20,000; in 1840, to 30,000; and now its census 
shows the respectable figure of above 50,000 inhabitants. 

The City of Rochester, may boast of having been the 
first spot, in the present diocese of Buffalo, blessed with 
regular visits of a Catholic priest. The Rev. Patrick Mc- 
Cohmack visited it in 1818. The following year the Kev. 
Francis Kelly made a second visit. 

In 1708, when the surveys of the Holland Purchase first 
commenced, all the travel between the Phelps and Gorbam 
tract, and Buffalo, was along the old Indian trail; but the 
legislature passed an act, appointing Charles Williamson 
a commissioner to lay out, and open, a state road from Con- 
newagus, on Genesee river, to Buffalo Creek, on Lake Erie; 
ami to Lewiston, on the Niagara River. 

Buffalo, in October, 1798, consisted of the log house 
owned by Middaugii and Lane, a double log house — about 
two squares from Main Street, a little North of the present 
line of Exchange Street; Captain Johnston's half log ami 
half framed house, a little east of the main building of the 
present Mansion House, near' Washington street; a two story 
hewed log house, owned by Captain Johnston, about Ex- 
change street, from six to eight ro Is west of Main street, 
where a tavern was kept by John Palmer; this was the 
first Tavern in Buffalo. Asa Ransom's log hou«e west of the 
Western Hotel ; Winne's log house on the bank of little 
Buffalo, south of the Mansion; Maybee's little Indian store 
in a loo- building on west side of Main street, about twenty 
rods north of Exchange street, and a log house occupied 
by Rgbbins. The flats were open ground; a portion of 
them had been cultivated. Such was Buffalo — and all of 
Buffalo— in 1798. 

David Mather, says "I settled in Buffalo in April 1806, 
there was then sixteen dwelling houses, principally framed 
ones; eight of them were scattered along Main Street, three 



210 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

of them were on the Terrace, three of them on Seneca, and 
two on Cayuga Streets. There were two stores, one, the 
'Contractor's, ' on corner of Main ami Seneca streets, (east 
side of Main,) Vincent Grant kept it. The other was the 
store. of Samuel, Pratt, adjoining ('row's tavern. Mr. Li«: 
Couteulx kept a el ru y; store in a part of his house on Crow 
street. David Reese's Indian blacksmith shop, was on 
Seneca Street ; aud Willi vm Robrins had a blacksmith shop 
on Ma ; n Street. John ('how kept a tavern where the Man- 
sion Bouse now stands, and Ju«lge Barker kept one on 
the site of the market. 

"I remember very w«ll the arrival of the first public mail 

that <»ver reached Buffdo. It was brought on horse back 

by Ezra Mbtoalf, Ih 1 came to my Blacksmith shop and 

got his horse shod. He told me that he could carry the 

nts of his bag in his two hands." 

From 1809 to the commencement of the war, many 
settlers came into Buffalo ami many buildings were put up. 
Mr. LbCoi pectx came to reside in Buffalo in the year 1804; 
ion after employed some Canadians to construct him 
a frame house opposite Mr, Crows, on the site of the 
(milling now known a* the "L- Content block," and in 
which he Hveil until the burning of Buffalo, with his 
second svife, whom he married a short time after his release 
from captivity. 

He was soon after employed by the Holland Company 
as an agent for the sale of their lands in Buffalo and its vU 
cinity, and was appointed first Clerk of Niagara County, the 
28th of Much. Inks, which office he continued to hold 
until the war of 1812. In December, 181 3. Buffalo con- 
tained one hundred houses. All, except two, were burnt 
clown by the British. 

Same of the early settlers were Catholics, Louts Stkpiiek 



Missions I» Westers Sew york\ 211 

Le CotJfEUX De CHAfMONT, of a noble family in Norman- 
dy, Francs was a distinguished benefactor to charitable and 
religious institutions 

The first recorded visit of a priest occurred eight years 
after Buffalo had been burned down by the British. The 
Bight Rev. Henry Con Well, Bishop of Philadelphia, then 
passed thro' on his way Westward, and baptized a child of 
-Patrick O'Rourke, whose pious wife still remembers and 
relates the facts. The few Catholics of this place, were next 
visited* in 1821, by the Reverend Mr. Kelly, of Rochester, 
who said mass in St. Pauls, the Episcopal Church ; onlv five 
Catholic families being in attendance. From this time oc- 
casional visits were made by clergymen stationed at Ro- 
chester. 

The Catholics of Auburn, then numbering some four or 
five families, and having several children to baptize, sent to 
New York for a Catholic priest. The Revered Mr. Gor- 
man came. This was the first visit, that Auburn had 
ever received, from a Catholic clergyman. He remained 
but a few days, having celebrated the Holy sacrifice of the 
Mass, and preached a sermon, in the court house- be could 
stay no longer, since he had to visit other scattered children 
of the church \ nor did the little Catholic family of Auburn 
see a Catholic priest again, for the space of five 3 ears, when 
they were visited from . Rochester by the Reverend Francis 
Kelly. 

The Rev Michael McNaivIaSa labored to erect a church 
in the city of Rochester. He collected for it) in New York, 
Philadelphia and Baltimore, Washington, and divers other 
places. The Rev. Dr. Farnham of Utiea, then also visited 
Auburn. Seeing the waist of a church he encouraged the 
Catholics to build one, Mr John H. Beach, a respectable 
Protestant, gave a lot for the purpose, between Chapel and 
Van Aftden streets. The pious Catholics immediately 



212 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

commenced the work. The walls of the foundation were 
built, but Rev. Dr. Farnham came no more, the poor 
Catholics were discouraged, and gave it up. 

The Reverend Michael McNam^ra settled in Rochester^ 
and became the first resident pastor. His mission mint 
havebeen excessively onerous^ comprising, as if did, Auburn, 
Ithaca, Owego, Canandaigua, Geneva, Palmyra, the couuties 
of Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, Tompkins and Steuben, lie 
had t<> visit them, periodic illy baptizing and administering 
the sacred riles of the church to bis sen ttered flock ; and, 
at the same time, directing the building of his church in 
Rochester. 

The Rev, Mr. Badtn, the first } >ri. ■- 1 ordained in the 
United States, visited Buffalo, in L828, remaining six weeks, 
officiating sometimes in the Court house, and at other times 
at the residence of Loci- Lb Couteulx, E*q, 

Mi'. Le Couteulx hid acquired a considerable extent 
of property while it was yet cheap in Buffalo, and at the 
solicitation of Father Badix, <>n the 5th of January 1829 
he executed a deed of land, in trust for the 

Catholics of Buffalo, to Rt, Rev. John Dubois, 15;'. of New 
York, and h - ?, for ;i Catholic church and ••-•me- 

try, and sent ii to the Bisliop a- a New Year's Gift 

Bishop Dubois made bis first \i-it to Buffalo in tin- year 
132 ; an account of it, may be found in his letter to the 
Society for the Propagation of the Faith, (annals vol. IV. 
p. 4"j4) where lie states that he found seven or eight 
hundred Catholics, instead of the seventy or eighty he had 
been led to expect. By means of an interpreter he heard 
the coufessions of some two hundred Swiw; preached in 
the Courthouse; administered the sacraments of Baptism 
and Matrimony, proceeded to the above mentioned ground, 
and dedicated it to the object for wh'ch it was given; this 
ceremony was the first of the kind, ever performed in 



MISSIONS IK WESTERS NEW YOBS. 213 

Western New York; after the consecration, the Catholics 
called upon the Bishop and urged him to send them a 
priest which he promised to do; accordingly in the fall of 
that year the Revd Mr. Mertz arrived in Buffalo. 

Father Nicholas M.ektz who had collected upwards of 
three thousand Dollars in Europe with the intention of 
building a church elsewhere, erected in 1831, with part of 
this money, on the consecrated lot, a small wooden church 
called, " the Lamb of God," the name being suggested by 
the figure on a bronze tabernacle, which he brought wilh 
him from Europe and placed in the new church. 

When first Father Mertz arrived in Buffalo, he resided m 
a small log hut, on the w T est side of Pearl street, between 
Court and Eagle streets, and held Divine service in an old 
Frame house near by, which the Catholics rented and used 
until their church was finished. 

Father Mertz visited Lancaster, and Java,, from time to 
time, consoling the poor Catholics, by administering to them 
the rites of their holy religion. 

In 1832, the Rev. J. McGarry, was appointed Pastor of 
Rochester, In his case, as the records show, there was 
furnished a proof that the present Archbishop of New York 
was wise in suppressing the obnoxious Trustee system. 
The Board would not receive Mr. McGarry. The venerated 
Bishop Dtbcis, was obliged to interpose his authority; and 
being disobeyed, finally interdicted tiie Church. 

The good and holy Bishop wrote letters and issued a 
pastoral; the answer of the trustees was not respectful. A 
church incorporation law, which almost all Protestants 
rejected, because it was contrary to Church discipline, mis- 
led even good men. Bat whilst defending the sacred disci- 
pline of the Church, the good Bishop had evidently at heart 
the interests of St. Patrick's Church. Under date of August 
14', 1832, he writes thus to Father McGarry: u As for the 



214 MISSIONS IX WESTERN NEW YORK. 

salary, remember that I will not consent to more than five 
liiindred dollars being allowed yearly, until the Church is 
completed, vestments provided, and debts paid, t also wish 
a house to he built, for the accommodation of the priest, 
adjoining the Church." The awful scourge of the cholera 
began* sttdden deaths, that seemed like judgments of G<xt, 
restored obedience and peace. 

Some time afterwards the venerable Bishop arrived in 
Rochester} the pastor met with no more trouble. The 
interdict was removed; and the priest labored with real i\i 
the performance of bis ministerial duties. 

Tli.' following list will show the different pastors that 
governed the Church from the beginning, and also the 
nine of their \ isit or restdeuce. 

Rev. Patrick McCorMacK, from 1818 to 1810, 
Francis Kelly, 
No pastor riul ing 
Mien vki. McN \m \u.v 
- J. J. McGarry 
Bernard ( >'Ribll1 

J, .1. Mc< rABRY 

" Bern ird O'Riell* 

M William O'Rielly 

" Mkiiaei. O'Brien 

" Martin K.wvxac.m 

11 Michael O'Brien " 1800 to the present 

In 1831, Bishop Dubois, accompanied by Rev. Mr. 
UuTKiNEK, visited Buffalo. Some German leaders com- 
plained of the venerable Mr. Mertz. A deputation was sent 
to the Bishop to complain that the pastor would not allow 
iheiu to manage the money affairs of the church, giving the 
usual reason, that it was their own moneys, and that they 



1819 


1823. 


1823 


18*5. 


1825 


1 *:V2. 


1833 


1833. 


1833 


1834; 


1834 


lsj.15. 


1835 


1849. 


1840 


1854. 


1 B 5 1 


1850. 


1859 


L80O. 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK, 215 

tiad a right to see to its disbursments. Rev. F. Raffeixer 
simply inquired of each deputy, how much he had contrib- 
uted towards the erection of the church. " Nothing^' was 
the answer. The complaint, was dismissed, and peace 
restored. 

Mr. Raffeixer several times after visited the Germans, 
and was always joyfully received. 

Buffalo was incorporated as a city in 1832, with a popu- 
lation of about eight thousand, nearly one tenth of whom 
were Catholics; consisting- of nearly equal numbers of Irish 
and German emigrants, with a few French; all assembling' 
to hear Mass on Sundays in the same little church of '-The 
Lamb of God." 

The demon of discord having, even at this time scattered 
the seeds of disunion, a small number aspired to be leaders 
and rulers. They commenced with a pretended desire to 
promote the interests of the church. At first they 
did nothing, without consulting the wish of the pastor, 
but at length, they acted on their own responsibility, often 
grieving him by their WOrdly and unjust pretensions; even 
claiming the church as 'jerman-, but the pastor, though 
himself a German, promptly rebuked their selfishness, de- 
claring that it was not the church of a nation or of a party 
but simply a Catholic church, for all the Catholics of Buffalo. 

In Rochester, in 1833. whilst St. Patrick's Church was un- 
der interdict, the old church of St. Mary, situated on North 
St. Paul street, was purchased from the Protestants and open- 
ed as a place of worship for the English speaking Catholics; 
and after the interdict had been removed, it was still re- 
tained by the Catholics who lived on the eastern side of the 
city, and was attended by the Rev. F. Foley. The Rev, 
Francis Donoughue stationed at Salena, occasionally at- 
tended Elruira, Ithaca, Auburn and Greece, and through 
his encouragement and zeal, a very comfortable frame 



216 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

church was, in 1834, purchased m Auburn, from the Meth- 
odists. Father Donoughue: soon became- the first resident 
pastor of Auburn. 

The number of Catholics in Buffalo, increased to such a 
degree, as to make it necessary to find more church room, 
to accommodate them. The Irish people, pained also by 
petty annoyances, to which they were exposed at 8t r^ >u i ^^ 
Church, resolved to withdraw from ir, and procure, if possi- 
ble, a pastor of their own,, from whom they mMil . 
more frequent instruction in English. They accordingly 
rented a hall, on the Terra <■. for Divine service and, in I887y 
the Rev. Charlbs S v II my ns their 

Pastor. A.I first, be said mass in Buffalo, only one Sunday 
in the month; as Ration was small; and d 

Lhe res! i f the time I i Java, and other adj 

As these Catholi : ■ ■ I benofi from 

the first donation i t for all, Mr. I 

lo them a sp tcious lot of ground for a church. This 

the wants of the 

! p lople. Bishop I ! . hi n ixi visil tn 

Buffalo, recommended the pui n the corrcr 

a effected ' I 
loth, ! 839. V' i ■ ■ purcliase»m • paid by 

. 1*852. St. 
Patrick's Church \ Rev. I Smith, soon 

Br ioklyn. 

Man's. Rochester, not being able to 
eollect I ey in 1 835, ssfpn of the 

Church, and returned to St. Patricks, thus increasing the 
already crowded eongregation of that Church. Up feo this 
time the German Catholics also attended St. Patrick's 
Church, and tunned with the English speaking portio 
peaceable congregation. The first German priest, who visit- 
ed his countrymen, was the Late Vicar Genera] of Brooklyn, 



MISSIONS IS WESTERN" NEW YORK. 217 

i/he Very Rev:. John Raefeiner. Finding so many German. 
Catholics, lie at once exhorted them to build a Church for 
themselves, especially as. St. Patrick's was too small even, 
for the English portion. But most of them being poor, 
they felt discouraged at such an undertaking. 

Soon after the Rev. Mr. Prost, of the congregation of the. 
Most Holy Redeemer, passing through Rochester on his 
\v;iy to Ohio, addressed his countrymen in their native 
tongue, and. exhorted them to the above mentioned under- 
taking. He found, on his return in the fall of the same 
year, to his great satisfaction, a brick church already pur- 
chased. With thve consent of Bishop Dubois and of his 
Superior, Father Prost remained in Rochester, as first 
Pastor of this Church, which he placed under the protection 
of St. Joseph. He also opened a school and appointed a 
male teacher for that purpose.- 

Father Prost, with a lay brother, began in Rochester, the 
first regular house of the celebrated and pious Society of 
the Most Holy Redeemer. The first record found on the 
book of baptism of that Church, is dated 24th July, 1830; 
Another entry attests the solemn dedication of St. Mary's 
Church, in Ely street, in 183 7. 

In 1838, Father Czackert, from Ohio, came to assist Mr. 
Prost. But the efforts of a few so discouraged the pious 
missionary, that he left the city of Rochester, and started 
for Pittsburg; leaving the Church under the care of Father 
Czackert, who remained but a few months, and left the. 
trustees to rule, with full glory, in an empty Church. 

For one year after this; no German priest celebrated Di- 
vine service in Rochester. 

The Revel. Simon; Sandrel, a missionary among the 
Indians, in upper Michigan, came (with a tribe of Indians, 
on their way to Lower Canada, where they settled,) to Ro- 
chester, and, having been frequently invited by the pious 



218 MlSStOJfS IN WESfERX" NEW YottK. 

Germans of Rochester, with the consent of his Superiors, 
-who o-ave up the Indian MissioHs, he became pastor of St. 
Joseph's Clinic!", lie, also) came in conflict with the 
trustees, because, a? he said, they could not give a satisfac- 
tory account of the Church income and pxpense; and he 
declared, from the pulpit, that he would no longer acknow- 
ledge trust 

The Right Rev. Bishop Hughes, of New York, visited 
Rochester to I St. Patrick's Cemetery. He called 

a meeting of the Irish Catholics of the city, in St. Patrick^ 
Church, to take into consideration the biection of a second 
Church for the congregation then worshipping there. The 
was not favorably received by many; but the Prelate" 
encouraged its friends to proceed in their praise 

; and the old Church of St. Mary's whs repurchased 
in the Fall of 1841. The Right Revd. PreJate al this 
time, a - rmission to Father Sandrel lohu'nVl a 

hew Church, a> St. Joseph's congregation had, during the 
last two or three yea ncreased; and the little 

church, besides being in a dilapidated condition, was far 
too small. Father Sandrel i _ of the con- 

gregation and stated, that, it* tbey would baud over to him 
the Church treasury, an 1 assist him with their contribu- 
tions, be would build them a fine large Church. Some 
difficulty \\a* made, and he determined to quit the Church. 
ish Catholics who bad just purchased old St. Marys, 
having no resident-pastor, Father S cepted charge 

of it, and shut up bis St. Jo>< ph's Ch uch. But at a m -r- 
ing of tii- St Joseph's congregation the people voted in 

,' Mr. Sa nickels proposition; the trustees re 

and banded over to him the treasury of the Church con- 

B30 in cash, and a balance of pew rents amount- 

'. With this money lie purchased a lot and 

commenced the erection of the New St. Joseph's Church, 



MISSIONS IN WESTEIlN SEW YORK. 219 

who^e title was vested in the congregation of the Most Holy 
Redeemer. But those members residing in Western Ro- 
chester were dissatisfied with the selection of the lot, because 
it was not central for them; and they also opposed the 
vesting of the title in the congregation of the Most Holy 
Redeemer! 

From the year 1S34, to the year 1S4.0, the Rev. Bernard 
O" Rielly was pastor of St. Patrick's, Rochester, thence he 
visited occasionally, Java, Canandaigua, and Lock port, until 
Father Manioast became resident pastor there, and began 
its first church. Mr. O'Rielly also attended occasionally 
Mount Morris, and Palmyra. 

In Buffalo, the very small number, who, perhaps uncon- 
sciously, tried to sow discord in St. Louis Church, had 
been frustrated in their first attempt. Yet they only 
awaited a more favorable time • and in the year 1838, some 
of them, having gone through the legal forms, incorporated 
under the above-named o-eneral law of 1?84, which Pro- 
testants rejected. The Bishop was grieved; for, in sending 
the Rev. Mr. Pax, he said: "The usurpations of trustees 
are not there to be fear-ed; for the ground belongs to me." 
The residuary heir of the donor, P. A. LeCov'teulx. Esq., 
a man of great honor and probity, also declares that his 
father never wished such an incorporation. This was an 
event productive of evil to the pious members of the con- 
gregation, of annoyance and grief to ecclesiastical superiors; 
SHid, until lately, of almost incessant discord and embarrass- 
ment to the Church. The Rev. J. N. Mertz, their Pastor, 
left that Church, and removed to Eden. The Rev. Alex- 
ander Pax. by the wish of the Right Rev. Bishop Dubois, 
undertook the pastoral charge. This worthy clergyman, 
finding the Church too small, and being assured by the 
Bishop that, as the ground belonged to him, no annoyance 
was to be dreaded from trustees, began to build the 



2^0 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

present spacious edifice, with the hearty co-operation of the 
people. 

About litis tiine, the Female Orphan Asylum of R 
tor was founded, ami, for the first two years, condufeted by 
a Matron .-Mi'! Assistants, under the supervision of Rev. I>. 
O'Ribllt, pastor of St, Patrick's Church. 

Father 0. D. MWIuliIen, pastor at Lockport, finished 
th.- Ghu '-v, and 

purchased ;i Catholic i em ■■. \y. 

In 182 In 1 329 (lie 

' ilo, \ isiied Java, in 181 6 the K-\. 
B ■ rn \i.:> < I'Hielly vi In 1837 R -\. ( ' 

n Rev. 

Mr. ■ 

Ration and built the Chi 
Java in 1 543. Fi • vn was 

I U 

. 
suit th • held near 

I, upon 
which was built a . \\ here 

I ractice 

. 

The • placed under 

.-. an i ( Ionnollt, wlio 

Lev. William Grace; after whose 

.1 from 

Auburn attended Geneva, Ithaca, Elmii 

Tlie Rdvd Theodore Nozthen succeeded the R< 
fcorist Fathers at Lancaster and became the firs>t resident 
g astor there* 



MISSIONS IK WESTERN NEW YORK. 221 

•Scarcely had the New Church of St Louis been built by 
the Rev. Alex. Pax, when the trustees of the congregation 
•kroke out in opposition to Church discipline, by refusing t» 
comply with the statutes of the Diocese, and the faction so 
•harrassed their clergyman, that Lis health became impaired, 
and he was obliged to return to his native country, to en- 
deavor to recover it, 

His letters of this period, to Bishop Hughes, breathe 
.nothing- but grief and despondency. In that of Dec. 26, 
1842, he says.: "This time I write to you, with a broken 
Leart. . . I read your pastoral letter, that part which 
treats of the ad mi uist radons of ecclesiastical property, 
occupied me two Sundays, because I was obliged to correct 
■the most malicious interpretations, spread among the people. 
W. B. Le Cguteulx is the head of the opposition party. 
Misrepresentations of the worst kind, and lies of every 
description, were resorted to. Their continued agitation 
produced a frightful excitement," <$.ic 

He subsequently narrates how, some persons unknown, 
thus maddened, attempted his life, by throwing large stones 
through the window, at which he generally sat. And that 
placards' were" afterwards posted up, with the words: "We 
tried you once with stones; if you return we will try you 
with oalis." The trustees wrote a letter of exculpation, 
and rented a house, down is the city, in which the Rev. 
Pastor could remain without danger, because it was stir- 
mounded -with other habitations. 

It is well known that, on weak minds, whilst reading 
liistory a deep impression will 'be made, that almost all in 
I^fti is evil*, so much being said of war; whilst what regards 
peace and prosperity, is discussed "m a few brief lines. But 
the attentive reader knows, that many years of peace, with 
all its blessings, may be sufficiently said in the two words 
ef the cheering cry, "Ad&» well*'' whilst to render history 



222 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

what it should be, a lesson of experience and wisdom, 

pages must be employed, to point out the causes, the actions 

and the consequences of a month's war, so also must be 

this history; whilst briefly narrating the onward struggle 

\ Church militant, in this diocese, But we will now 

i all, that, generally, the pastors rind the flocks, 

amidst dangers and difficulties, of which extreme poverty 

I the least, displayed deep piety, di interested seal, 

a generous spirit of self sacrifice, the Christian virtues 

which always accompany it, mid, even in poverty, charity 

like that of I Saviour praised for 

casting ber last mite, into house. 

Even ' ich history to be useful I. wa», 

in evei 

I 
in th< ir esti hrfpor- 

. 
and of the 

a church 

. 

:. he in- 

L 
. 

submit 
to the - i«rht Rev. I 

as _ *e his authority, to save the 

Church laws, 

J4e.n uko aeyer approached the 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NE.W YORK. 223 

against the cruelty of depriving the congregation of I10I7 
sacramental helps. W. B. LeCouteui.x. Esq., who seems 
to have been the master-spirit in opposition to Bishop 
Hughes, wrote several letters to his Bishop assuredly in no 
Catholic spirit. In one, dated 4th August, 1811, he says 
to the Bishop : lk In case that, contrary to our expectations* 
you should have given your consent to the above proposi- 
tions, I feel bonnd to inform you that it would be a dero- 
gation to the clauses specified in his [his father's] act of 
donation, and would therefore put me under the obligation 
to claim the property back again." It is. a sacred duty to 
say the truth, in giving this history to the public, but to 
say it in such a manner as to give the least possible p^in to 
the living, or to the friends of the dead. The subject of 
St. Louis Church would have been passed over, truthfully, 
yet only in general, hasty views; but this mode of treating 
it can now no longer be just to the worthy dead, to the 
living, or to posterity. The worldly-wise and very cunning 
sometimes overact their part; thus the enemies of the 
Caiholic Clmrch have already farced into history false and 
injurious statements on this subject. In the New York 
Gazetteer for I860, published by J. II, French, page 287, 
we read : "There are fourteen Roman. Catholic Churches 
in the City of Buffalo. . . . The Roman Catholic 
Church of St. Louis, in this oily, has been prominently 
before the public, from the refusal of its Trustees to convey 
their church- property to the Bishop, and the extraordinary 
but ineffectual efforts made by the Roman Pontiff" to induce 
obedience to this order. In 1853, Cardinal Bedtni visited 
America, having this as a prominent object of his mission; 
but the Trustees were inflexible, and still continue the own- 
ers of the property." No Priest or Bishop ever asked the 
Trustees to convey the lot to them, nor has there ever been 
a dispute about the deed ;■ the dispute, from first to las£, 
was. solely about churcfe discipline* 



2 24 MISSION* IX WESTJBRN NEW 70RK. 

On the 5th of January, 16*20, nearly ten years befoM 
any Trustee's church existed, the deed of that propei 
»nade to the Bishop, and he hoik it attfl. On the 3id of 
August, 1850, when Bh>hop Tij*on forgave the first Beriea 
of resistance to church discipline, under his administration, 
the Trustees pi dging themselves to abide for the future, by 
aciplinc of the church, say: ''On our part we ack- 

■ be titles 
of the tempoi ilitiea of the church h d in the Bishop 

and Ii ; - - in offi •<•, in trust for the 

With Bishop J 1 1 ghbs 
and \'< ih >p Timi h . >ntest has been about the 

discipline of the Chun h. I hks, no doubt, has 

said in Bubs ; 

lid induce 

. ( >n r< eking 

• 

o 

!. and churd ■ »rding 

to lav Lo this, 

>ly and 
! was a 

. . I ■ , 

v ill-- publication of the 
G n - ■ 
. through I , Esq.; Bishop 

-u.-i.-.l it as follows: 

I ik, April 5, ] 

Ml;. I . DeUTHER. 

EhEAR Sir: — 

I li.r. your petition and letter yesterday, 

and lose do time in forwarding my reply. Of course I 

s knew, 'that there were a great many true and 



MISSIONS IX WES'TERN' NEW YORE. 2 2~5 

'faithful Catholics, in the congregation of St. Louis in Buffalo. 
Indeed, on my visitation of the Diocese, that congregation 
Was, by its piety, my joy and my consolation. It was my 
pride and my boast, on my return to New York. 

But when a congregation, through its officers, allows its 
pastors to be thwarted in doing good, to be harrassed, and 
be made miserable, thee I cannot expect that any priest 
'will stay with them. The Trustees of a congregation are 
•only its servants, and when these servants undertake to reject 
'ecclesiastical laws of the Diocese, and to make laws them- 
selves, as if they were Bishops, in God's Church; then it is 
time for those, who are Bishops and priests, to withdraw in 
peace, and leave them also in peace, to oovern those who 
are satisfied to be governed by them. They say the con- 
gregation supported them in their proceedings— -if this be 
so, which I cannot believe, unless they deceived the congre- 
'gation by false statements^-then so be it. 

Much as I feel for the good pious people, I cannot 
; alloTv T any priest to officiate in the Church of St. Louis, until 
I am assured that the Congregation, in its Trustees as well 
as in its members, are C : atk<>H':s.-^~trite Catholics, in their 
sou?, as well as by their outward profession. If they choose 
to have it otherwise, 1 shall not quarrel with them. But, 
in the meantime, I have no priest to send them; and if I 
had, I should not expose him in such a situation. Our 
priests are for Catholic congregations, and no other. Now 
there are many other good German Congregations without a 
pastor, and until 1 have German priests enough for them all, 
it will be my duty to provide for those congregations, who 
make it their pride to be governed by their pastors, instead 
of attempting to govern them. 

When I had written thus far, one of our city papers was 
brought me containing an article from the "Buffalo Gazette" 
which is false in almost every particular, and which I have 



220 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

answered here. I hope the editor of the "Buffalo G izette" 
will publish my answer, in order that the jjood and pious 
people of the Congregation, may see how much they have 
1 11 imposed upon, by meai s of falsehood, 

The People must oblige their Trustees to do right, or else 
they must be prepared to suffer for what, their Trwters do, 
i' 1 their nan II h tve no dispute with 

■ 
Trustees to 1 - ■ idly that the Pastor must leave, 1 

will *A her. 

With the same kind feeling towards all, as your true 
friend and father in Christ, I remain sincerely, 

f JOHN, i;,.. \. v. 

The ' hrough 

In the follow • 

'■■••■. of April 

lay you 
' " an article purj>ortm" 

to be h | tht ,-,:,_.•. 

I in mv hail 
that the 
entirely _ , (ll(] i>{ - 

in conse- 

... 

eoually 

m was 

il on him t" stay for tl _ m ,, it j |S 

or two years, ill treatment of a few worthless men 

whocall - • _ _- ■ . | ■ ;. • . j t | i(L l!j(; 

oongregation of St. Patrick's, iu Buffalo, have "complied with 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW TORE. 227 

my requisition. " This again is untrue. The trustees and 
congregation of St. Patrick's will bear me witness that I 
never made any such requisition* I advised them as a 
means of putting an end to quarrels among themselves, to 
dispense with trustees, and to avoid the ruck on which St. 
Louis is now splitting 1 . These are the principal statements $ 
and the honorable confidence of the editor of the Buffalo 
Gazette, has been sadly abused by those, who have employed 
his authority for statements, which they knew to be un- 
founded in truth. He should demand proof of them, and 
if they cannot furnish it, to which I challenge them, he 
should publish their names, and vindicate his own. He has 
been deceived. I attach no blame to him. If his deceivers 
can furnish no proof that i ever made such a demand, I can 
furnish proof, in their own writing, that 1 never did. 

It is surmised, says the statement, "that the Bishop lias 
gone so far as to forbid any priest from performing divine 
service in St. Louis Church until its congregation shail fully 
comply with his demands." I forbade only one clergymen, 
whose inexperience might have been taken advantage of* by 
the same artifice which trifled so foully with the good faith 
of the editor of the Gazette. And secondly, what are called 
my "demands," in the statement, never had any existence 
in reality." 

Surely the editors of the Buffalo Gazette will feel a glow 
of virtuous indignation, when they discover how much they 
have been imposed on-. 

The only difference between the congregation of St. Louis 
and myself, is, that its trustees have thought proper, not to 
be'governel by the ecclesiastical discipline of the diocess, 
and expect mo to supply them with priests who shall be 
governed by a different discipline, of which they shall be 
the authors. The congregation of that church are pious 
and exemlary Catholics, to whom their holy faith is dearer 



228 MISSIONS IN WES1KRN NEW YORK; 

than life. Even this may be said of a large number of the- 
trustees; 

But it sometimes happens that our trustees may be hon- 
est and upright in their intentions, ami yet men of simple 
understanding, and without education. In such oases, only 
talented) intriguing and irreligious mind 
get among them, and then, whatever he concocts in his in'i- 
del mind, he them, under specious pretences to 

adopt; and then b the depra.ved purposes of his 

own heart, as the .ml, and this.again* as the act 

of the he moment tlii> arri\ es, woe 

once <!i\ ided 
From e . and yet kej by Buch a link of 

Hiiqui 

Mr. P ivas not < all ■ i n\ 
him a( lil 

i - !•> Hi'- : 
• no < ierman pastor t" - md in his 
u* renl 
- 1 iramenta 

unautho 

..'' hi- njoyed it »p- 

. 
The neighboring in it witb- 

£ their ov 
:i their mini 
t<> forbi in that 

church, until it shall be I whether it 

erned by the _ ions oi > diocess, or by 

[ trust, W -■ s. E li ors, that 
y<»u will publish the ab r valuable paj>er, 

act of reparation which [ may claim on tl 
I ask an insertion in "the Buffalo Gazette," which I am sure 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORE:* 229 

the editor will not refuse. I appeal to the honor of such 
other editors,, as may have copied the false- and, injurious 

statement hist published in the Buffalo Gazette, for a similar 
favor. + JOHN HUGHES, 

Bishop of New York. 
New York, April 4^ 1843. 

The pious portion of the German Catholics, now met for 
worship in the basement of St. Patrick's church, having a 
Redemptorist, Father Allick, for their Pastor. Bishop 
Hughes gave the Order a deed for a lot on Batavia street, 
where they at once erected a temporary church, residence, 
and school-house. 

The Interdict on St. Louis Church in Buffalo continued 
from 4th April, 1843, to 10th August, 18-14. Dining that 
epoch, many of the peace-loving, pious Catholics of Saint 
Louis Church had attached themselves to the rising congre- 
gation of St. Mary's. The trustees became alarmed, asked 
forgiveness of the Bishop, and published, in English, in the 
Commercial Advertiser of August 10th, 1844, the fol- 
lowing; 

"A CARD. 

" We, the undersigned, Trustees of the Church of Saint 
Louis, Buffalo, having had the honor of an interview with 
the Kt. Rev. Dr. Hughes, Bishop of New York, in relation 
to the difficulties which have existed between the congrega- 
tion and the Bishop for some time past, and havino- received 
from him, a true explanation of certain parts of his Pastoral 
Letter, and finding thereby that we have been laboring 
hitherto under a misunderstanding of the same, hereby 
express our willingness that the Chinch and congregation 
of St. Louis be regulated according to the provisions of the 
said Pastoral Letter, and the true explanation received 
from the Rt. Piev. Author; and we promise, in our own 



230 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

name, and (so far as we can) in the name of our suet 
that the administration of temporal affaira of our Church 
and eoi shall be conducted conformably to the 

Bame. 

4 -\V,' further take occasion to say, that if our couuse 
in this matter has given any scandal <>r offence to our 
Catholic brethren^ we regret it; adding merely thai our 
from mistaken impressions, and that we 
should be the last t.» oppose the authority of our religion, 
either ini.ii!:, nail; 01 deliberately. 

T. Dinge> 3, Presd'l Board Tin I 

III 11 IBER8TRO, 

i holomy Rink, 
Haas, 

M m;i in FlSCHEB, 

Ciiv S ••'ly." 

The Bishop nexl day, Sunday, went to their Church, 

sbsolution and bis ! lessing. 

Germans then read English newspapers, 

Borne who still adhered t.» uncatholic usurpations, spread a 

thai the BUhop had l>een forced to give up, and 

acknowledge himself in the wronij. Several \\h<> had been 

reports, mentioned it i<> I 

-■[.. who most prudently said nothing until he 

comM ; ] - he found it He 

had tl into German, and published 

• •!•, cut out the C'iri/ and posted it 

up conspicuously i -•. Mary's Church. Ibis 

f discord. 
In Rochester duiii g tne ^ii::_ r of 1 -42. twelve men of Sti 
Joseph • . turnal meeti 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 



23* 



about building another church to be governed according 
to their own principles. They sent one of their num- 
ber to Bishop Hughes, to ask permission to build a second 
German Church, in Rochester. The Bishop thought it 
strange, that they should require a second church so soon, 
but, thinking- it might be needed before long, gave permis- 
sion in writing, but on condition that the Redein'ptorists 
would not oppose it. 

They purchased a lot on the Corner of King arid Maple 
streets, the title was vested in two of their members. The 
organization of the congregation took place in the Public 
School No. 2, where sfxty 'three niernbers bounci themselves 
for the erection of their church, making their property 
responsible for the payment thereof. They sent an invita- 
tion to the Redemptorist priest to lay the Cdrner stone*, 
which he refused. They 'then applied to the Rev. B. 
O'Rielly, who also declined; therefore, for want of Bishop 
or priest, they performed 'the ceremony themselves. A 
document was put in the cavity of the corner stone, reading 
as follows: 

"Whereas, we have been much deceived by the Redernp- 
torist Fathers, we are going to burld in spite of them, a 
Catholic Church, not to be sold, alienatecl, or transferred 
or given away to any person, whomsoever as long as the 
church members, one to three, Oppose it" 

When the Church was finished, they sent a letter to 
Bishop Hughes informing 'him that the church was finished 
and petitioning for a priest. He replied, that he had no 
German priest to give; auo!, if he had, that he would not 
Fend him, because they had erected their eel ifrce in the spirit 
of strife and discord; however, he a'dded, that he would ap- 
pear personally in Rochester, in a few weeks, and see what 
was to be done. He kept his word atod arrived there before 
the end of December. After having heard testimonies on 

N 



28& MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

both sides, the Bishop addressed botli parties, and left the 
room. 

With the- unanimous consent of tbe congregation, ono 
only excepted, Messrs* Zkag and Fogele, on tLe 2Gth of 
January, 1843, transferred to Bishop Hughes, and his suc- 
- in ofllce, a deed in trust of the New Church. The 
Bishop was satisfied, and sent as pastor of St.. Peter's Church, 
Rochester, tbe Rev. Francis John Levitz, of tbe order of 
St. Francis, formerly Missionary in Syria, who arrived on 
tbe 23d «.f April, IS43. The Church was dedicated, on 
tip- -J'.'lIi of .Inn.-, 1843, by Father Levitz. 

Tbe Rev, William Whaloh, pastor of tbe English speak- 
ing Catholics of BuflaLo, held a meeting, May 16, 1 84 L, at 
St. l'atii.-k's Cliur.h, to urge on the finishing of the Church 
then building &>i bhe Irish Congregation. 

Rev. Fatln 3, 3. IL was pastor of Si. Mary's 

Church, Batavta afreet, which was formed, during the inter- 
dict ofS • L lie Church, from its faithful members. 

Tbe Reverend Pathos Bradlbv was stationed at Auburn 
from which place he attended Geneva. 

The Reverend Charles D. M< Mi llen, pastor of Lock- 
port, attended Albion, Lewistown, Niagara Falls and 
Medina. 

Reverend Thkoborh N«then, pastor of Williams- 
ville, attended Lancaster, Batavia, Nortbbusb, Transil and 
ronawanda, 

ft r. I'.lknaud (XRielly, pastor of St. Patrick's, Rochee- 
; -.> attended Canandaigua and Gri 

Rev. Laukbncb Cabkol, pastor of St. Mary's Rochester, 
attended Srxtttsville. 

The Reverend Rudolph Follenius, pastor of Eden, at- 
tended Whit-A Comer. 

The Reverend Thomas McEvov, pastor of Java, attended 
China, Aurora, Scjo. Greenwood and Portage. 



MISSIONS IN WESTERS NEW YORK;,, 2S& 

Rev. Benedict Bayar attended) St. Joseph *s, Rochester* 
Rev. George Beranck succeeding hirn,. when he was ob- 
liged to visit Europe, on business, in 1844. 

On the 10th of August* 1844 the Reverend Nicholas 
Mertz, departed this life at the advanced age of eighty-one 
years. He was a native of' Germany, and as a Seminarian, 
his fervor in devotion, his punctuality in the observance of 
rules, the ardor with which he applied* himself to his studies,, 
his humility and sauvity of manners, endeared him to all. 

lu the year 1791. the twenty -eigfeth year of hjs age, he 
was ordained priest. With, unfeigned devotion and zeal he. 
labored for the first twenty years of his ministry, in Europe. 
In the year 1811, this zeal led him to, cross the Atlantic. 
He labored in the city of Baltimore for fifteen years, making 
himself all to all, that he might win all lo Christ In the 
year 1826 we find him pastor of Conewago, Adams county* 
Pennsylvania. He remained pastor of that mission for three 
years, when he became pastor of Buffalo, and Eden. His. 
zeal led him across the Atlantic for the purpose of collecting 
means to build a church for the latter place. Having suc- 
ceeded in collecting some $3,000,, on his return he built,, 
with a portion of it, the first Church that was ever built for 
the Catholics in Buffalo, and remained its pastor for eight 
years. The consolations he had from a pious and faithful 
people, were greatly diminished by aunoyanoes fgoin a few, 
who wished to rule the priest, and the Church. He. 
retired to Eden and became its pastor, and built its oid 
church and schoolhouses. His life was that or* a true priest 
of the living Hod, so much so, that the leading Protestants 
said of him "if ever a man was clothed m Justice,, it was 
Father Mertz." Shortly before his death, lie lieand ebat febe 
Bishop was making a visitation of life diocese £ he prayed 
most earnestly thnt Almighty God w&tikl, in his mercy,, 
spare his life, until: the Bishop would arrive in Buffalo. On 



23-i toi^sioNs ft wfcstjfcfts KfeVr Vrttttt. 

the forenoon of Saturday, the Bishop arrived, nnd in tin} 
evening of the same day, having heen consoled by the rites 
Of par holy religion, he calmly breathed his soul into the 
hands of his Creator! 

On Monday his remains were piously conveyed to the 
tomb, after baring been exposed in the church, during the 
-"! •inn lv.jitiem Mass, at which the Bishop, and a number 

• attended. 
Key. Father Lsvjtz bad to Buffer much in Saint Peter's, 
Rochester, from the rulers of tbe on; upon 

which account, lie secretly left litem, duriug the night, nnd 
tooted himself before bis Bishop in New York. Tbe 
Bishop sent bis Vicar General, Mr. Raffbisbr, t> make 
inquiry inl i of affairs, He, calling a public me etr 

majority were in favor <>f tbeir 
. and that only a few leading members were 
Iris o Whereupon tbe Bishop sent father Lavrrz 

j but be did not succeed) An old man, har- 
., (i-,ii. be !■ ft Rochester \>,ir\,-v in May, 
■ having served ibis Church for thi 
i in his nal 
A ■ R • lemptorisl Fathers served 

that I months. In August, 1 

M ; : • k*i, of Qui charge of this 

Under him, the CJiurcb wns in a flourishing 

member increase 1 from 842 to 

1676; many debts were paid; • ■••- fi pur- 

at) organ f.>r the >>itn of |5 0. The con- 

Baited, peaceable, submissive, and bought 

for him. as a token of tbeir lovn and gratitude, a ri 

home, which he, who lived lik^ a hermit, refused to accept; 

- II, a midnight party, consisting of grocery-men and 

tare ~. was organized to destroy tbe harmony 

which prevailed They Went to Father Beresyi, and 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 23S 

persuaded liim to announce a,n election of seven men, for 
the purpose of inquiring into the account-books of his 
Church Committee, alleging that they had reason to 
Wieye that the Committee had not acted honestly. ]n 
feality, their ohjeet was to procure a charter for ail incov- 
tipratioh of trustees. Father Berenyi was ensnared, and 
Jiad already twice announced the election, when one of the 
party, in, a state of drunkenness, discovered the secret. 
father Berenyi then strictly forbade the election; so the 
evil was for a time postponed. 

Hew Father W^alon, Pastor of St Patrick's ^ Buffalo,. 
discharged his duties with zeal, until, wo.ru out by care and 
sickness, and fortified by the devout reception of the last 
rites of the Church, he departed this life on the. 27th of 
April, 1847, to receive the reward of his labors. 

This teeing the year and about the time that the new 
Bioeese was farmed, a bird's-eye view may here be taken 
c4 the state of the Church in the Diocese of Buffalo, when 
the Rt. Rev. Jans Td*on hegan his administration:; 

I'u the new Diocese there were then sixteen priests and 
sixteen churches;- though most of those churches might 
rather be called huts or shanties. Mar»y of them have 
since been replaced by brick or stone churches, in plain but 
good architectural style. 

There were but four Catholic schools, taught by seculars, 
generally in a poor state;- no Religious Ladies of any Order 
or community, for instruction or charity, except one house 
o.f the Sisters of Charity, in St. Patrick's Orphan Asylum, 
|toches.ter. The Redemptorists had a bouse in Rochester, 
and another, poor indeed and miserable, in Buffalo; with a 
church, that surely did not deserve the name of a church, 
feat which was ever densely crowded, and in which the 
jealous Fathers did great good. No other religious hoxliei. 
af men or women were in the Diocese. 



$3fc MISSIONS IN WESttSH'N NEW YORK. 

The Bishop had no house to live in. The pastor with 
'whom he lived, and to whom he paid hoard, a tew weeks 
after his arrival, told him that the trustees wished the 
!Bishop to seek other lodgings, as they did not like to have 
the Bishop there. But when the Bishop was about leav- 
ing, to board wilh the Pastor of St. Patrick's Church, in 
his rented hoftse, the same trustees sent to oner the Bishop 
$400 per annum, as BIS salary, if he would remain. Iu 
St. Patrick's Church, the only one for his!) and Enghsh- 
ppeaking Catholics, ihe convrannicants were then only 
three hundred. A Bishop, perhaps, never began under 
•circumstance a mdre discouraging. 



C il A PX E li XIII. 

lis, OPAL BB1. 

divinely constituted Hierarchy of the Church, con> 

!i district, by th usee ration of a Bishop with 

the appoint n pprobation of tlie successor of St 

slways brings special blessings of progress in the spir- 
•itu.-il. often too in the temporal order. This has been ex- 
emplified in Baff*1o and in the wide district, of which Buf- 
falo then became the c sntre. Tli • ibl'shed 
on the 23d April, 1 ^ 1 7. by our venerable and saintly Pope 
I'u rs IX., with the following limits: all that part of the 

: New Fork which lies west of the eastern limits of 
Cayuga, Tompkins and Tioga cbunties. The Very U< v. 
John Tim'jn, then Visitor of tl fthe Mission, 

in this country, was name 1 the first Bishop. It. w:.> known 
that his nomination was before the Holy Pee tor < ther 
bishoprics; but neither had he nor the public ever guessed 
that he would be appointed to Buffalo. He was enn*e~ 
crated in the Cathedral of New York, by Bishop Hughes, 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 23? 

assisted by Dr. Walsh, Bishop of Halifax, and Dr. Mc* 
Closky, Bishop of Albany; Dr. F. P. Kenrick, Bishop of 
Baltimore, preached the Consecration Sermon. 

It will be seen in these annals how the blessing of 
"Increase and multiply," followed this creative act of the 
" Great Bishop of souls," through His Vicar on earth. As 
every drop, too, aids to swell a river; so, for all, but for 
Buffalo especially, many necessary visits to its Bishop, 
many, settling down more willingly and more frequently, 
when religious comforts became abundant, more money 
spent for many establishments, etc. — all aided to 'increase 
the prosperity of the city and turn attention towards it. 

The climate of Buffalo is more agreeable than that of 
any other American city in the same latitude. The winter 
and spring months are boisterous; but, in winter, the ther- 
mometer never sinks as low as it does in other cities muck 
to the south of Buffalo. The summers are cool and 
pleasant. Owing to this, and to admirable system of 
sewerage, Buffiilo is a very healthy city. There are many 
fine buildings in this city. Of St. Joseph's Cathedral, the 
"New American Cyclopcedia" says : "This Church contains 
a stained glass window, lately made at Munich, <(at the 
Works of the celebrated Mayer,) which is the ; finest speci- 
men, in this department of art, in the country." 
The population of Buffalo was, 

In 1810, 1,508 

In 1820, 2,095 

In 1830, .8,653 

In 1840, 18,213 

In 1845, 34,656 

In 1850, 49,764 

In 1855, £4,214 

In 1858, estimated 90,000 

On the lfth October, Sunday, Feast of the Maternity of 
the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop Timon %^s *cc%seer.ate$' 



23-S MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

He immediately named the Rev. Bernard O'Riklly. Ins 
Vicar General; wrote to Buffalo to the Rev. F. (urn, that 
the Bishop would be there on the evening of the 22d, and 
accompanied by Bid-ops Hughes, Walsh and McClobxet, 
and by the Very Rev. B. 0*Rtelly, started on the 20th 
for Buffalo, Boats or trains did not run then as now. Thev 
reached Rochester at 2 A. M. Ou the 22nd Bishop Timor 
said hi- (fat Mass in the Diocese, in St. Patrick's Chuiao 

ihester, at 8 that mosning, preached and gave his ! 
fag to a large assemblage of the faithful, who, at such short 
notice, had already met bo welcome their Bishop. 

His Right Rev. Friends, fatigued by the night journey, 
wished t" remain till mornings particularly as (he weather 
was unpleasant i though! tjie wish reason- 

able, invited them to remain, and rejoin him next day, hut 
desired that, ha woul 1 be in Buffalo 

r.v the train that l-.a Rochi i\ : si 3 P. M.. of the 22nd, be 
felt himself strictly hound to • appointment. The 

othei n then genero isly resolved 

i<> accompany him. The trains moved slow It : an accident 
raHher retarded them; so thai they reached Buffalo after 
Btifiset but an immense crowd awaited them. A proce* 
wa- formed of, it is bout ten thousand pen 

hundreds • illuminated the route. The drizzling 

rain seemed not to check the enthusiasm. It was 10 P. M.. 
when the processmii entered St Louis Church. The Bish- 
adore 1 the B lessee] S icra- 
ment, then ippropriate discourse 

g, and the crowd joyfully dispersed at 1] 
P. >L 

The Bishop had no church to which ho could safely 
assert a right, nor had he a housa to lodge in. He agreed 
to board, at a certain fixed price, with the pastor of St. Louis 
(^ hurt. hj and be f ,oo.k himself to understand the condition of 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN KEW YORK. 239 

the now diocess: he named Rev. Francis Guth, Vicar Gene- 
ral for the Germans. 

In a few days, the Trustees of St. Louis Church, called 
on him, and requested him to consecrate their Church: he 
answered that it was a fine Church, and weil worthy of 
being consecrated; but that he was bound by Church 
dicipline, as decreed in the Council of Baltimore, not 10 
consecrate any Church unless the title was in the Bishop. 
The trustees assured him, that the Church had been deeded 
to the Bishop, and belonged to him, in trust for the Con- 
gregation; and, to remove all his scruples, they brought him, 
in a few days, an authenticated copy of the deed of Louis 
LeCouteulx de Ciiaumont, Es<p, to the Bishop. This was 
sufficient. 

After several days of labor and preparation, the Bishop 
having to do almost all himself, for a ceremony so new to 
those that assisted at it, on the 21st Dec. 1847, consecrated 
the Church of St. Louis, preached at the consecration, and 
after Vespers preached again, and confirmed 227 persons. 
Shortly after the Consecration, the Revet. Pastor of St. 
Louis Church, informed the Bishop that "the trustees wished 
him to find other Jodings, as they did not like to see the 
Bishop there." The Bishop felt sad ; after twenty years of 
arduous ministerial labor, he found himself poor, advanced 
in age, and without a shelter 'on earth. He told the good 
priest to say to the trustees, that he never intended to remain 
permanently at St. Louis Church; fur he wished to go and 
labor, where his beloved flock were in greatest want. That 
at St. Louis Church, the faithful had nearly sufficient help; 
but that the Irish Congregation was greatly in need of help, 
and that he hud already determined to make St. Patricks 
Church his home. 

On the 10th November, the Bishop began a pastoral re- 
treat for the Clergy of the diocese, conducting it himself. 



240 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

On tbe 11th, be gave benediction with the Blessed Sacra- 
ment, for the first time in St. Patrick's Church. Im- 
mediately after the retreat he held his first Synod. Both 
Ketreat and Synod were in the Church of St Patrick. 

On the 23rd the Bishop moved to the rented house of 
Rev. P. Bkadley, pastor of St. P.-itiick's, and made St. 
Patrick's his temporary Cathedral. 

On the 28th <-t* November, the Bishop began a retreat at 
Rochester, in St. Mary's Church, which produced blessed 
fruit. There were nine hundred communicants. On the 
Cth of December, he confirmed in St Peters Church. On 
December 12th, the Bishop pave another retreat in .lava. 

On the 20th, he began -in- in St. Patrick's, Buffalo. In 
all his retreats preaching thrice each day, making two med- 
• :■!.•, and passing the rest of the time, ex- 
cept a few hours for food and sleep, in the Confessional. 
The results o#th< retreat in St.Patrick's of Buffalo, induced 
him to prolong the for nearly three weeks, 

at the end of which lime, that congregation, which had 
counted hut :5"» mm v upwards of 1,500 ap- 

proach the holy I 

On th 8 ol the IniMii ail ite Conception of 

Virgin Mary, th.- Bishop preached his fit 

mon in Herman, in iheChurch of the Redemptorists, during 

ntifical High Mass, which he celebrate/! there. It 

: -.d. a strange but a I _ ;ht The building 

•iv long, narrow, brick cottage, very low, crowded 

t.> suffocation. II. iw different from the present noble 

Church of the pions and zealous Redemptorists! But, now 

id find difficulty to understand how then, so many 

who went to Communion, could penetrate the crowd and 

reach the altar. In that long, narrow gut of a Church, the 

Bi-diop confirmed 173 persons. 

The trustees of St. Louis Church, asked his permission to 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 241 

enlarge their Church so as to prevent streets being run 
through their lot. He refused, thinking that it would spoil 
the Church, which was already the largest in the United 
States, and shewing them how they could build, tower, 
priest's house, &c, to suit them better. 

The first year was thus passed in giving retreats, and in 
visiting the whole diocese, preaching, saying mass, <fcc, in 
the few Churches that existed; or, in Schoolhouses, or in 
Protestant Churches, when their use was permitted him ; 
and in a shanty, or in the open air, when no shelter was 
attainable. This first year he Confirmed 4,617 persons, of 
which about half were adults. Williamville, Lancaster, <fcc, 
were visited. 

In Lockport the Bishop gave a retreat of fourteen days, 
beginning on the 9th of January. During it, he opened one 
also for the French, wishing to get a French congregation 
there as he had done in Buffalo and Rochester. 

He Confirmed 170 persons, of whom 150 were adults. 
Finding the Church far too small, he advised an addition, 
which the pastor, Rev. C. D. McMdllen, with energy and 
zeal soon effected. 

At Buffalo and in Lockport, by his efforts and advice, 
the Conference of St. Vincent of Paul w T as established, for 
the relief of the poor. 

At his visit to Auburn, the Bishop gave a short retreat of 
three or four days. Here, as in most parts of his missions, 
the extreme poverty of the people had prevented their pro- 
viding Ostensorium or Cope, for Benedictions, even Cib- 
oriums were very rare, and the sacred vestments few and 
poor. Efforts were immediately made to remedy this. 

For many years, purposely, scarcely any notices have 
been sent to the Catholic papers though the Bishop still 
continues his visits, often preaching three, four, or five times 



242 



MISSION* IN "WESTERN NEW Yor.X. 



a day. But the following, published February, 1-847, may 
serve as a specimen of labors find fVogress : 

Diocese of Buffalo. 

On the 24th. the bishop arrival, at 11 A.M., at Seneca 
Falls — found the Catholics assembled in the Church, gave 
tbera an instrnotie>n 1 Fathers CFlahsrty am) Shkridan 
began to hear confessions ; the Bishop aided tbem in the 
sain.* holy function in the evening and pleached at V J > .M., 
the little chapel bein^ crowded Lo excess. The exercises con 
tinued till tit" 28tli at mid-day, 53 persons wore (Jonlirined, 
and 200 received the holy communion. Xhe uan t ofchurebr* 
room for i>ur po-r CatlnJie* may l>o gathered from the fol- 
lowing numbers. The ( Shurcli o 
will not contain more than I 
be greatly crowded*. During the 

ilone we li . 
of Lancaster will not contain mor 

. prior to the conl 

communicants; the church of I- • 

. in it we bad 1 301 1 © |n muni 

l.urn will c >ntain 30(5, in it we 

church at Senei a FalU w.ill t 

200 comrounieai 

On the 20tH, th< l»y private conveyance, 

at ' I ' " I •' l \ ! 1 1 : t : *• v and 

KIDAN beijan to hear <■ : at 7 P.M., t Ik Bishoi 

preached to a la Ration, an. I in t 200. 

].-:- 1 ihe lio'y coimiisiion. and sifly-: :. 

confirmed. 

On the 29th the Bishop arrived at Jefferson , at southern 
end of Seneca Lake. A, church once used by the Presby- 
terians had been purchased; it was not yet fitted up. The. 
Bishop and Fathey Sheridan worked till, near night in, 



St. Patrick at Buffalo 

• ;r*»»«, an 1 then it mu>t 

I- . in it, of that con- 
municants. Tho Hunch 

• than 200 , in it during 
•I. there wore far mor< 
kpori will contain abma 
ants; the chuMj of An- 

i ',.•! nicants .; 
on lain 200, in it we had 



MISSIONS ttf WESTERN NEVf f ORE. 243 

&\ing tfoe altar, etc. Ami the church, beautifully seated 
\m an eminence over the lake, was called "St. Mary's of 
the Lake," At 7 P. M. the Bis Rep preached. 

On the 30th, the Bisfto? confirmed twelve persons; 
tawny approached the holy table. A convert, a very 
respectable lady, remarked that, having been exceedingly 
terrified fct Methoolst preaching about hell, so that she 
was afraid to sleep; she felt her terrors removed by a 
ilream, Or vision in a drea'&t. She saw a bright arm 
extended as if to kelp and a voice pronounced distinctly 
the words, u Bo peftaiice, afel you shall be saved." Never 
feaving heard those words, she knew not where to find 
£hern Or what they meant, In vain did she read over her 
Protestant Bible"; after long search, she found in a Catholic 
Bibie; then examined the Catholic faith, and became an 
edifying member oT &e Cfaurch. 

On the 1st Fetfl J uai;y, trie Bishop con finned three persons 
at Gen. Kernans', thence proceeding to Hammoudsport, 
preached for a long time to a very crowded audience, and 
confirmed eighteen persons; starting thence at 4 P. M., he 
■Hnived at Jefferson at 9 P.M. After blessing and distribu- 
ting candles at St. Mary's of the Lake, and confirming one 
adult, the Bishop started with Father Sheridan for Ithaca. 
They arrived at V P.M., and drove straight to the town hail, 
where r tbpy fo&iid a large and respectable congregation 
^assembled. IClre Bishop preached. At 9 the service was 
'over, father Sheridan then went to hear confessions and 
administer tiie sacraments of matrimony. At 11 the day's 
labor was over* 

On the 3rd, the Bishop and Mr. Sheridan heard confes- 
sions in a private house; as we have no church in this 
Iplaee, many went to communion there at the Bishop's mass. 
-At 11, Father Skekidan said mass at the town hall, the 



244 MISSIONS IS WESTERN HEW YORK. 

Bishop preached on the Holy Mass, and after it on Confirm- 
ation; twenty-four persons, mostly adults, were confirmed. 
At 2 P.M., the service was over. At 4, the Bishop an<l 
Mr. Sheridan started for Owego, which place they reached 
at 10i P.M. 

On the 4th, began a retreat at Owego, saying mass and 
preaching in a small chapel at a private house; each night, 
also, the Bishop preached in the court-house to a large and 
respec'able audience. On Sunday the early mass and com- 
munion were in the private chapel; at 11 mass was said hy 
Father Shbridah in the court-house, the m<»st respectful 
and religious attention was observed; the Bishop preached 
at the Gospel on the Holy Sacrifice, and, after mass, on 
Confirmation, eighteen persons were then confirmed A 
very large audience again assembled in tin 1 court-house at 
7 P.M., t!i>- Bishop preached on tie- Sacrament of Penance; 
many seemed very much Btruck with the proofs In- adduced. 
On the Till, after mass, the Bishop and Rev. Mr Sheri- 
dan started in a s|eigh \>>v E&linira. The sleighing was 
r a few miles, then gradually failed. Whilst seeking 
l-side, whe \ remained, the sleigh upset, 

til.- Bishop was thrown on the hard frozen ground, much 
ttttinned arid cut, hut aff*r a few moments In- strove to 
continue his rout.-, tie- Bleigh broke, a wagon was hired, the 
hois,, than gave out. and after great fatigue the missionaries 
>ryville. Thd Bishop taught 
:n and beard confession that night Whilst friends 
were seeking a wagon and team, next morning the Bishop 
>aid mass in a private, house, L. r a\ •• instructions to tie- Cath- 
olics there, preached to a large audience, mostly of Pro- 
testants, in the school-house, then started forEhnira; beard 
confessions there the same night, next morning said mass in 
a private house and preached for the assemhled Catholics. 
The Rev. Mr. Siiekidax said mass in the court-house, the 



MISSIONS IX WESTERN NEW YORK. 245 

Bishop preached at the Gospel on the Holy Sacrifice, and 
after mass, on the Sacrament of Penance. The confirma- 
tion was deferred to the next visit, as those who wished to 
receive it were not prepared. After the service, the Bishop 
started for Corning. No place could be found for preaching 
or Divine service, except the Methodist Church; the people 
had already begun to assemble in it. The Bishop then 
repaired thither as soon as he arrived, and preached to a 
very large audience on general views of the Catholic 
Church and its holy sacraments. When he had finished, 
a poor Irishman approached and said, "God bless you! 
but, och, how good it would have been, if you had said 
more about confession; they do mock us so much about iV 
The Bishop immediately cried out, at the top of his voice, 
" To-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock, I will say mass here 
and preach on Confession and the pardon of Sin." 
Wrapped up in his cloak, the morning being very cold, the 
Bishop was being shaved in the barber's shop, when two 
gentlemen entered, and said laughingly to the barber, 
" Well, Tom, ain't you coming up to hear that Bishop, and 
to get your sins pardoned; better bring plenty of money 
with you." The conversation went on for a while in this 
way, no one suspecting that the Bishop was present. As 
the Bishop began his sermon, he saw the two gentlemen 
come in, just as he was mentioning this fact, without giving 
names, which indeed he did not know. The audience 
seemed quite satisfied, at least that Catholics had been 
greatly wronged on this point. And, in the Bishop's appeal 
for help to build a Catholic church, many Protestants came 
forward to subscribe; three hundred dollars were at once 
subscribed. A most respectable Protestant company gave 
the lot, and very soon a Catholic Church was erected. 

There being then no railroad in that quarter, the Bishop 
was about entering a carriage for Bath, when he was called 



246 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

to a dying man, in a small shanty, some distance off. He 
started on foot. An ex-Presbyterian Minister, who had 
assisted at the whole service, asked permission to accom- 
pany liim, it was easily granted. In a miserable shanty, on 
a rough straw bed. laid on the ground, the sufferer awaited 
his final deliverance; the family retired as. far as they 
could, some went but, the minister stood watching, but 
distant a^ the others, The dying man's confession whs 
heard, the holy Viaticum administered, the Extreme Unc- 
tion given, and a few words of prayer and consolation, all in 
the simplest manner of such Catholic ministrations, but the 
Presbyterian ply moved, and as the Bishop left 

the shanty, be, took bis hand saying; "God bless you, that 
was very touching." It is to he hoped, that God continued 
li ; m light and grace, thus perfecting the good work, 
then begun in him. 

At 7 A that night, Feb. 10, the Bishop preached to a large 
audience, mostly P in the Court House of Hath; 

lie heard coi t and gave communion in n 

private house; and Rt I 1 A.M., again preached in the Court 
Rouse; then started in intensely '-"Id weather for Green- 

w 1 A go I n ' ■ given a large lot, a log church 

had beer erected, hut not finished. The congregation 
appeared truly fervent. The Bishop heard confessions! 
mid in. i. gavecommunion t<» many and eonfirm" 

ed o5 !••:- n*. On iho 14th. he Parted forScio, 20 miles 
distant; foui the children, 

made an .instruction, <kc. Tl 9. M'Evot accom- 

panied the Bishop, his labour must have been herculian, 
having to sttend so vast au extent of country. He has 
gone to his reward, and we hope and pray, that the mercy 
of God will there crown him; for his apostolic merciful 
zeal was great. Many a poor stray sheep he brought back 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN N&W YORK. 24? 

to the fold, whilst his recreation, aimd his exercise was at 
every spare moment to go far "and wide, through the 
tangled forest, through thorns and briars to find the had 
negligent Catholic and bring him to fe-ast with his God; or 
to preach, in his winning persuasive way to prodigal non-^ 
Catholics, who often as suits the generous American charac- 
ter, nobly acknowledged that they had been wrong, and 
sometimes embraced the faith wkich innocently they have 
despised. 

At Seio, the Bishop confirmed 42. In the evening; drive 
to the next post, they got lost, and stoppedat a tavern, and 
whilst taking dinner, the good aged host and hostess, told 
them frankly all the bad that they believed of Catholics. 
The Bishop kindly corrected their statements^ Mr. McEvoy 
took their part, and pressed the Protestant arguments 
strongly on the Bishop, who thus -had an opportunity, -which 
lie did not expect, of removing -many prejudices from the 
minds of these good people. When the time came for 
starting, the Bishop asked them to say frankly, what and 
who they thought their guests to be. They answered that 
they thought Mr, McEvoy to be a lawyer, and the othei% 
a Catholic Priest. 

It was 9 o'clock at night when they reached their post, 
near Hornby House. The wagon in Which they rode, was 
aimost miraculously saved from sliding down the icy preci- 
pitous road, which then led from the top of the precipice 
over the tunnel, to Smith's Mills, near Portagjeville. 

Hornby Horase was used for a Chapel. The Bishop and 
Mr. McEvoy kfcard Confessions from early morning, till 2 
in the evening, when the Mass began; the Bishop, as usual, 
preached before the Mass, to explain to the many Protest- 
ants, not without use even to many Catholics, the sacred act, 
and its venerable -ceremonies; again at the gospel, on the 



U48 MISSIONS IN WESTERS NEW YORK. 

Eternal truths, then after Mass, on Confirmation, or Bap- 
tism. A great number, some who had not approached for 
many years, went to Communion; 41 were Continued. Tbey 
were almost all adults* A.bout 3 P. M. breakfast was pre- 
pared for them. 

On the 19th February, the Btehop returned to Baffalo, 

from his \i-it of more than a month, t li r<>ti l^ 1 1 pari of the 

. On the way to hi. loiliogs he met W. li. \a: Cou- 

Esq., in ihe street, who immediately accost'ed him 

thus: *• 1 ai i • ■ to !"• able to t.'l! 

lunch, 
the work is i am-n »w aboirl another 

1 hint' In Here is a 

petition 1 an I inmon Council, to 

request them . ,; "- grave yard that 

lied ali the recoi b, ami 1 find 

that the >! 1 was never made < ut,so thai it might !"• taken 

s you the | 

it Would : 

■ on lii'- \ isit 
ill known in the oiiy. He read the petition, and then 
told M i i.\ that the p ! things 

most untrue, and n 

t, to his intimate know- 
erly and 
quiet at tbeir bui for all 

j . ami, further, that he, the Bishop, 
held th I, and duly recorded. The 

Bishop invited the gentleman to come to his house, an-] see 
the instrument, which he the page of records, and 

dropped (the matter. 

The Bishop than went to the Trustees, expostulated with 
them for having,, after his express prohibition, beguu the: 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 249* 

walls, which were already two or three , feet out of ground ,> 
lie required them to demolish the work, and, if they wished 
to build, to build according to any pilau they might prefer, 
but for the objects he had' sanctioned, not for the enlargement; 
of a Church, already very large. He then spoke to the 
Very Rev. Mr. Gutk-, ; to, whom the trustees had referred' 
him, as having sanctioned the work. Mr. Guth expressed 
himself much grieved and very sa(h, acknowledged -that he- 
had sanctioned the work; and declared that, if now demol- 
ished, he could never hold up his head again, but would 
have to withdraw, to hide his shame. The trustees came, 
they begged pardon, but as so much was- done, they entreat-. 
ed that they might be permitted to finish the part begun. 
The Bishop, deeply touched at the grief of Mr. Guth, 
whom he greatly respected, hesitated. At length he said, 
that he could not approve, but. he would overlook, and not 
notice the act, provided no more was attempted, than, 
the part already begun. The. promise was given, but not, 
kept 

About this time, the -.Bishop rented a larger house, much, 
nearer to St. Patrick's Church, and immediately began, in, 
it, a Theological 5 Seminary, being himself for some time the. 
Professor. But he soon-found ajearned priest to perform, 
that duty, whilst" he' continued to be Professor of Cere- 
monies. 

In March, the Bishop- went to Baltimore, and obtained a^ 
promise of two Communities, three in, each, of Sisters of ' 
Charity, one for a hospital; the other for an Orphan. 
Asylum in Buffalo., "Raw, MJr..Wi3£LON.had deeded his house,, 
next the Church, to the Sisters of Mercy, for a. Charitable, 
establishment; but the Sisters of Mercy could not think of go-, 
ing to Buffalo; a deed of the property was. then made to, 
Bishop Timon, but he found it of no use; actual possession of 
another party v kept him long out; afterwards the nephew of 



2S0 MISSIONS I« WESYKRSJ NEW YORK. 

JLIr. Whelon instituted a suit against his uncle's estate, for 
attending him on his death bed. The claim was for $000, 
iin 1 was con si <ile re (.1 unjust,, the Bishop consequently de- 
fended the Sisters' claim; but the suit went in favour of tfje 
Plaintiff The house was sold under execution, and the 
Bishop had it bought in for the Si&ters. 

The Bishop looked around for a house in which to begin 
the Charity Hospital H<\ with un other few priest*, had 
often to visit the sick in the Poor Hon«e, than on Prospect 
Hill, where the Oblal i fathers now nn; and bo well knew 
how litile Spiritaal Comfort ifae dying could receive under 
tfae systeia thea too caramon. 

In the raeantim retreat for the pious Catholics 

of St Pati i' . - I Ibui • ... much edified 

by the fervor of tin people, lie also, in the same Church 
Patrick, pat I t the Frendi and Canadians. 

fie had doi ••. in Buffalo, and though he 

preaebed eaeh day in P reach for them, the result was not 
eg then th< inpj a Preach 

Church, . : ; ' igh( Catechism, and 

•-••. .iv Bai I y I Hod, in their mother 

. ,id for this, and at 
. ; ij ChuM h in Buffalo, and one 

in Rochester. 

Sheldon being nearly finished, the Bishop 

went- i \;«ril, travelling through a storm of 

8110*', *uu£r the Pontifical High Mum, preache I in French and 
Qeraiaa« ai ng difficulties that had 

aii-.eii there. 

On the 24th in Buffalo, the Bishop laid the foundation 
stone of St. Mary's Church, on Batavia street, for the R<e- 
demptorist«, preaching on the occasion. 



MISSIONS IN WESfE^N NEW 5 YOK^. 25 £ 

On the 28th the Bishop jmrehased land, which was soon 
used for St. Joseph's Cemetery. Then continued his 
visitation of the Diocese through Dafcsville, Scottsville, 
Ureece, etc., preaching, confessing; and confirming in each- 
place. 

On the Gth of May, 1848; the Bishop reached Canan- 
daio-ua, fixed an altar;, on the 7th, snug Pontifical High 
Mass, and dedicated the Church, which' bad been begun by 
the lamented Bishop CRielly, then pastor of St. Patrick's, 
Rochester, and nearly completed by' his- brother the Rev.. 
Wm. O'Rielly, 

The Bishop reached Rochester on the Tlth Mw, much- 
fatigued; but a messenger came for a sick call at Portage-- 
ville, a journey of 14 hours. As Rev. W<s?. O'Rielly was 
bearing Confessions of the Children r the Bishop started at 
8 A. M., 12th May— reached the sick person at TO P. M.,- 
after continuous and fatiguing travel, found that there was? 
no real need, and ^turned if* 1 tfrffe t& sing the High Mass* 
in St. Joseph's, Rochester, and to confirm 190, preaching!' 
in German,, before and after Confirmation. In the evening 
he sung Pontifical Vespers i'n St. Mary's Church, preached 
and confirmed 167'. Mt night he* lectured in St. Patrick's 
Chu relit. 

After various' visits to 4 different Churches, on the 28th 
the Bfehop went to Eden, said mass, preached in German, 
Confirmed'. fO&i visited the tomb of the Rev. Mr. Mertz, 
whom' the 1 Bishop had known in early youth,- in Baltimore.- 
Being, according to his will, the heir of the holy priest, the 
Bas-h^f* gave Mr. Mebtz's vestments and sacred vessels to the' 
Church of Edem r and his books to the actual pastor, Rev. 
B. Follenius. 0n returning the Bishop visited the Con- 
gregation of White's Corners, called. Hamburg, and ; settled" 
some Little troubles - of that pious Congregation*. On h4&- 






MISSIONS IN WESTERN JfDW "YORK. 



return to Buffalo be bought the lot on "which the Church 

of St. Michael now stands, as a site for a Cathedral. • 

In June, 1^7, the Right fctev. Bishop Smith, of Glasgow, 
in Scotland, came to collect for his Chinch"; Bishop Timon 
gave him permission, but when the charitable Prelate saw 
•th" poor left Church, nnd the rented house nf 

Bishop Timon, small, and yet so crowded, and 

the evident poverty of the Catholics, who assisted at Mass, 

ll tO ill-ill. 

On tl i ity — three for an 

Orphan Asylum, and three for a Hospital— reached Buffalo. 
By ? - Orphan 

A-\ lum now - - ii d « rn. Bui there was 

( >n the 21 - r June, ight from tl 

16 B iff: I ■ and lot which 

th< y then ted to bufld on a large l"\ 

which od Catholic, had given for 

i 'orporation ; hai 
sequentlj put tu » Orphans tinder therr care, and bav- 
~ n< 1 a Priest t-> in-;; 
them, . he w 1. - 

drew th was Informed that m 

. but that 

i,o I'i lest to them. After getting I 

\ lie found it difficult 
•:. i; was known that he had bought 
it, for the S M I Charity and for a hospital. After 
fixing v.ii i, and failing, on the 

?th .Inly, the Bishop went to the Director, from whom he 
liad benight it, ar^l >a!h "TMsdelayis a great ineon- 
x *. etnenee, as -tbe Sfaten for ti»w house have now no place* 



MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 253 

You &ay that you cannot find a suitable house - : I will, 
then, take all your orphan?, put the girls with the Sisters 
of Charity, and keep the boys in my own house; and, 
when you find a suitable place, you can take them back - : 
onl", I will request you to leave the Catholics with me, and 
to take back the Protestant orphans only/ The next day, 
fehev began to move; and, on the 8th July, the Sisters 
entered into the Hospital, in which, nnder--God 1 s blessing 1 , 
they have saved many lives, and done an im-tn esse -amount 
of good. 

This Charity Hospital had scarcely been opened -over 
one year when Buffalo was attacked with epidemic cholera. 
As no Cholera Hospital then existed, the Sisters of 'Charity 
promptly tendered to the City Council the use of that 
Institution for cholera patients. All who «ame or were 
sent, were very kindly received"; and, though the City soon 
took measures to establish a Cholera Hospital, yet, as the 
Buffalo Medical Journal says, "The number of patients 
received - in this, the City Institution, was 243, of which 
115 recovered. The Sisters' Hospital, however, received 
134 patients, of which 82 recovered. Considering the 
character of hospital cases," continues the Medical-Journal, 
"the results of the Charity Hospital, as declared by the, 
rate of mortality, certainly affords grounds for rauch 
satisfaction. . . . AVe are free to say that, whatever 
credit is due to the Institution for the large proportion of 
recoveries, belongs to those, under whose immediate charge 
the Institution is placed. .. , , Each patient -admitted 
to the Hospital was, at o<&ee, placed under the charge of 
one of the Sisters, and received her lan^easing and assiduous 
care, as long .sub it wa? requisite. Scrupulous exactness in 
the execution of all medical directions, and fidelity in the 
administration .of remedies,, couJd be confidently depended 



23"4 MrssroNs i*n western new york. 

upon, together with all otber attentions and appliances, 
which the circumstances of the case might suggest. The 
degree of patience and endurance exhibited by the Sisters 
©f Charity, in thefr unwearied labors of mercy, during the 
period of the epidemic, was a matter of astonishment, not 
less than of admiration. Night after night, as well-as on 
successive days, they were at their post, never manifesting 
weariness or diminished eeal; and during the whole period, 
nol one was debarred, by illness, from the exercise of her 

voluntarily assumed duties." — Buffalo Medical Journal, 
Vol. V.. No •••. ;>]■. £19 and 332, 

Tin- d - <•;' the Hospital were not the only ones, 

whose zeal was put to the test by this epidemic. The three 
Female Orphan Asylum, might be 
Been receiviog with tenderness and compassion, the poor 
orphans, whom, un&r the direction of the Bishop-, Che 
V.-rv Rev. B ' Riblly sought after and coll 

n itii _ ms of a Vincent 

Purine this year St. Joseph's College, Buffalo, was establ- 
ished under the clergy of the Bishop's residence. It mm 
commenced in iwo brick bouses on Niagara street, near 
Main. The bouses were rented with privilege ta connect 
them, by op - in the separating wall. In the 

basement of this building, owing to the sc inty means «»f the 
young diocese, St. Joseph's Male Orphan Asylum was 
begun. The poor boys had been left destitute orphans, \>y 
the ch< 

Wbils was rapidly advancing in Catholic spirit 

and practice, tbe Bishop continued his visits through the 
diocese, that all might equally progress, for the glory of God, 
and Balvatii o of souls. On the 17th June, 1848, the Bishop 
visited Y«>ungstown, preached, said mass, heard confessions, 
3l<d confirmed, twenty-four persons Thence he went to 



MISSIONS IN WESTERS SEW YORK. 255 

Lewiston. The Universalist church had been promised to 
him, hut, on his arrival, he found it occupied by Methodists, 
who would not yield He then preached, heard confessions, 
said Mass, and confirmed, in the unfinished house of Mr, 
Kelly. He got at once a subscription of §250 for a church. 
At Niagara Falls, he could get no place, but an old, and 
rather small Methodist church, in which he exercised all the 
functions of the holy ministry, confirmed seventeen persons, 
and began a subscription to build a church. With great 
difficulty, principally through' the aid of P. Porter, Esq., 
he got a lot from Judge Porter, for a Catholic Church. 

At Pendleton and Transit, the Bishop officiated as in 
other places, and urged on the building of the present 
churches, in which the truly pious Germans of those districts 
now worship. 

From Ellicottville where the Bishop maile the first confir- 
mation in a poor school house, he went to the Cattaraugus 
Indians. The intelligent and respectable Indian, Mr. Par- 
ker accompanying him. ile found the majority attached 
to what they call the " National Religion." The Bishop 
briefly explained the Catholic religion to the chiefs, who 
seemed pleased; he gave a crucifix toveaeh one. They said 
that they thanked the Great Spirit for sending him, and 
would consult. 

In Randolph, the Bishop officiated in a Baptist church, 
and confirmed twelve persons;; passed then to a wild moun- 
tainous country, and said mass,, officiated, and confirmed ten 
persons, in the house of ML P: Doran. The Bishop, in 
both places, made efforts to< get a church lot. At James- 
town, he sought in vain for a place in which to officiate, and 
therefore started for Mia>ys\dire, and preached in its court- 
house. In Dunkirk and> Siltee* Creek, no place could be had 
for Divine semoe;. the j Bishop then went to Fredonia, where 



256 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 

lie preached, said mass, and baptize 1 some converts. The 
Hishop and Rev. Mr. McEvoy started in the" carriage of Mr, 
Devereux for EHicottville: Ihe carnage broke down. The. 
Bishop took on1 oue of the horses, and rode about some 
miles, back and forward, through a wild mountainous 
country, until he found a house, and hired a wagon, the 
carriage was fixed t<> it, Mr. McEvoy, being much fatigued, 
was placed in it, the Bishop continuing («• ri<le horseback^ 
until tli«' party, nfl I w ork- 

uien to repair the carriage during night, hnd then retired, 
exeessii kI morning at Efli- 

cottvi lie, they proceeded on to Cuba, and addressed the 
< ! at holies assembled tin :■ ■■■ hospitably entertaiued 

that night in the noble mansion of -Judge Church, and 
tarly in the morning wenl over to Angelica, fixed up an 
altar in the courl house, said mass, preached, heard confes- 

■ I ii v place.*, 
the Bishop was - whal must have been most 

: 
testauts soon filled ihe Courl eir faces turned to 

-':;•• of it sal a confessor; the 
fore the won 1 
.!■•! ing crow I, ome up, kneel dow n, mal 

humble • . nft«M" i- olution, torn, 

an I with co ii • r- cent deep 

and 1k>!v emotion, - _ lin ih-ir p kneel to 

rod for his me cy. Ah, who can tell bow many and 
how glorious, were then ihe triumphs < f faith and duty, 
over timidity, and the modesl instinct of wishing to hide 
feeling, from curious • ■;. - ! 

Through Java, where the Bishop again officiated and 
preached, »hey proceeded to Akron, and vi.sited the Indians 
of the Tonawanda Reservation. The principal chief, 



MISSIONS IN -WESTERN NEW YORK. 257 

u Blacksmith/' told the Bishop that only 15 out of GOO had 
joined the Baptists, who then had charge of the mission 
and its emoluments. He himself strongly adhered to his 
" National Religion/' As he described it, it spoke of one 
Great Spirit, other spirits or subordinate Gods, good and 
evil, their idea seeming to make them much like our good 
and Lad angels, a Providence of God, the power of prayer, 
and sacrifice, their greatest one being that of the white dog, 
• luring the full moon of February. The dog is immolated, 
ihe sins of the whole nation being put upon him, the body is 
burned, the a»hes scattered to the winds, and the nation is 
purified I The Bishop told the old chief his religion, and 
requested leave to send a teacher. "Your talk is good," said 
the old Chief; "but now L will make mine. The Great 
Spirit make his white and his red child. He put the white 
Child on the other side of the great waters; He gave tills 
side to the red child: it was not right for the white child 
to come on this side, and seize the property of his red brother. 
The Great Spirit gave a religion to his white child, we will 
admit that it is xery good for him. He also gave a religion 
to his red child, it is good for him, and lie will not change 
it." The Bishop answered: " Brother, you have said much 
that is true. It is very true, that the Great Spirit made 
his red and his white child, we are brothers! It is true; 
that he gave each of them a religion, but that religion, 
was only a bud, a germ; and it was the same f<>r both. 
But the white child held it fondly in his open hand, and 
let the light of heaven, and the summer's sun shine on it, 
whilst the dews from above moistened it. It grew and 
produeed leaves and flowers and fruit, and the white child 
fed on that fruit, and grew strong; but the red child hnld 
the germ tight in his closed fist, the light could not shine 
on it, the sun could not warm it, the dew could not 
moisten it, it remained always only a germ, a bud, it never 



258 MISSIONS IN WESTERN NEW TORE. 

had fruit, the red child had nothing to eat; and this is the 
reason why the red man becomes weak before his white 
brother." The old Chief said that he liked the talk, and 
would think of it. 

About this time, greal changes began in the diocese; 
zealous and pious ]>ri<-<ts were straining every nerve 
to multiply Churches, t<> furnish them with sacred vessels 
and neat priestly vestments. It will become a duty, as it 
i- a pleasure t<> note in detail tin- generous efforts and holy 
- i irifi ■ a of worthy j>n''>t», and d ivoted !l >cks. To do this 
properly and fitly, a pause will here 1,.- made. A S 
Volume will contain interesting details of the holy works 



• 



<Jx 



